Los Angeles Lakers should stay far away from DeMarcus Cousins

The Los Angeles Lakers must avoid DeMarcus Cousins at all costs this summer, despite how intriguing bringing him in may become.

DeMarcus Cousins is one of the most interesting names hitting the open market this summer. Several months ago, Cousins looked to be in line for a max contract as one of the NBA’s best centers. Needing to bring in superstars to contend, the Los Angeles Lakers naturally became a reasonable suggestion.

After all, Cousins was in an elite class of centers. Karl-Anthony Towns may be the only one challenging Cousins for the status as the best center in basketball.

In the 2016-2017 season, Cousins averaged 27.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists.

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However, his unfortunate Achilles injury has changed everything. Cousins suffered the injury in late January and could theoretically return by the start of the 2018-2019 campaign. However, Cousins may also not see the court until December-January of next season; missing the first two or three months of action.

Because of this, Cousins has become a relatively low risk to take this offseason, at least finacially. Cousins cannot make a case for a long-term deal and will likely ink a one-year deal with a team that is far cheaper than he is worth.

The Pelicans are probably the favorites to land Cousins, as they can carry on with Anthony Davis while Cousins recovers.

However, the Los Angeles Lakers are an interesting possibility for Cousins. Not only is the table set for the Lakers to acquire one or two stars this summer, they will have a hole at center to fill with Brook Lopez hitting the open market. Plus, reports indicate that the Lakers actually discussed acquiring Cousins from the Kings.

Kenneth Teape of Lake Show Life echoes these thoughts, calling the Lakers a wild card team to land Cousins this summer. Teape also acknowledges the risk-reward factor of Cousins.

"Cousins represents a high risk, high reward option. If the Lakers are going to be handing out any max contracts this offseason, they will want something that is closer to a sure thing."

This analysis of the Los Angeles Lakers and DeMarcus Cousins hits spot on. Cousins will only be a low risk if other teams are not willing to give him a larger contract. If anything even close to large becomes a reality, the Lakers should back out immediately.

Quite frankly, Cousins is not a good fit, no matter the route the team goes. Despite having Anthony Davis and Cousins, the Pelicans still did not find the results the team was looking for until Cousins got injured. As talented as he is, he has not proven to be capable of playing alongside other stars.

And that is the biggest hurdle, alongside the injury. This young Lakers core is fragile. The beginning of these young player’s careers will shape their futures with the Lakers. The last thing the team needs is a potential tug of war for power in the locker room between Cousins and someone else.

Not to say that will happen, but the Los Angeles Lakers are much better off with the alternatives. Nerlens Noel is a great alternative that will likely cost one fifth the cost of Cousins. With Julius Randle, the Lakers would be better suited on running this kind of two-man rotation.

Signing Cousins is intriguing, it really is. At his best, he is the best center in basketball.

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However, DeMarcus Cousins simply is not what the Los Angeles Lakers need this offseason. Instead, the team must stick to the likes of Paul George and LeBron James; and whoever those two want to bring in.

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