Lakers Rumors: Ranking Each Superstar’s Chance of Landing in LA
By Jason Reed
3. Demarcus Cousins
Go look at every championship winning Lakers team since the organization moved to Los Angeles. What does each one of these teams have in common? They al have a great big man to supplement the guards in Los Angeles. Jerry West had Wilt Chamberlain in 1972, Magic had Kareem, Kobe had Shaq and Pau.
While someone of Pau Gasol’s stature may not stand up to Shaq or Kareem or Chamberlain, he did play a huge part in keeping Kobe in LA and bringing a reliable option alongside Kobe to score the basketball. What don’t the Lakers have right now? A dominant center.
Don’t get me wrong, Ivica Zubac is a great young talent who could grow into a great center for the Lakers. However, Zubac lacks the intensity, the physicality, and the scoring ability as someone like Demarcus Cousins. Put Zubac at power forward, like the Lakers did with Pau Gasol, and I guarantee his play would infinitely improve.
With rumors spreading that Cousins wants to be a Laker, and may “bolt to the Lakers” upon his contract ending, this seems all the more likely of occurring. With his contract expiring after next season, the Lakers may be looking to add a dominant big man at center, and surprise surprise, Boogie is atop that list.
While it may be the less likely than the other two guys on this list, it still has a decent chance and could formulate by this time next year. Unless the Pelicans send Cousins a very promising offer, we may see Boogie in LA in 2018.
Chance of landing in LA: 50%