The Los Angeles Lakers have made a move that few expected, though it makes perfect logical sense given the state of their roster. The Lakers, who have already reportedly reached an agreement with Markieff Morris to join the team, will waive injured center DeMarcus Cousins to make room for him, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne.
Cousins was a popular figure in the Lakers locker room, particularly with the veterans such as LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Rajon Rondo. However, Cousins tore his ACL in August. While he and the Lakers kept up appearances as if a playoff return was possible, the history of players coming back from ACL injuries was not on Boogie’s side to be ready for playoff basketball. It will cost the Lakers in that he was a well-liked player in their group and they will no longer have bird rights on Cousins should there be competition to sign him later this summer.
Due to the fact that Cousins was popular with their stars and that he could help them in 2021, few expected him to be the player cut by the Lakers. However, the Lakers made the logical choice to replace a player that is not playing with one who is. Instead of getting rid of potential contributors like Troy Daniels, Quinn Cook or Jared Dudley, they waived someone who was unlikely to help them on the court this season.
Although Cousins was given credit a couple of times this season with helping the Lakers establish their locker room identity, his place on the roster was always the most precarious given the fact he wouldn’t be available for them this season and was already on a one-year contract. However, the Lakers could sign Cousins in the summer if there is interest on both sides.
