The Los Angeles Lakers may have lost out on Kawhi Leonard but they didn’t waste much time bolstering their frontcourt for what will be a season of championship expectations.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Saturday that the Lakers have come to terms with former All-Star and USA Olympic team member DeMarcus Cousins on a one-year deal.
The Cousins acquisition follows the signings of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, JaVale McGee and Cousins’ former Golden State teammate Quinn Cook in the wake of Leonard’s momentous decision to join the Clippers while bringing 2019 MVP finalist Paul George with him.
Cousins, depending on his health after tearing his quad following a torn Achilles, will walk straight into battle with JaVale McGee for the Lakers starting spot in training camp. McGee started 62 games for the Lakers last season and had a career year, but Cousins’ ability to shoot the 3-point shot and his track record of success with Anthony Davis may give him the leg up.
Davis and Cousins outscored their opponents by 5.8 points per 100 possessions during their 42 games together in the 2017-18 season, prior to Cousins tearing his Achilles and missing the rest of the season.
There were a few interested parties in Cousins, but according to Woj, some recruiting from his former frontcourt mate Davis helped get him in purple and gold.
