Los Angeles Lakers: Pros and cons of pursuing DeMarcus Cousins

By Jason Reed | Mar 21, 2019

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 21: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors prepares a fade away jumper in front of Tyson Chandler #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center on January 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Con: His health is still a huge question mark

The main reason why the Golden State Warriors were able to sign DeMarcus Cousins was due to the fact that he was coming off of an Achilles injury that left him with more questions than answers about his future.

Cousins was not going to get the kind of contract he was going to get if he stayed healthy and instead decided to sign a one-year deal with the Warriors.

This was the best of both worlds. Even if it has not been as good as it could be, the Warriors got to take a relatively low-risk gamble on a potential All-Pro-caliber player for only $5 million. Meanwhile, Cousins got the perfect chance to contend for a title.

Cousins is getting his shot at a ring as the Warriors, even though they are flawed, are still the consensus favorites and the best team in the league. However, he has not returned to All-Pro form and it appears as if his health is still a big question mark.

Cousins looked great in the first handful of games that he was back but teams have since taken note and have figured out how to exploit Cousins. He does not have the range or closeout speed that he had pre-injury and now teams are just looking to draw him out to the perimeter to open the lane inside.

That is all because of his injury and big men don’t just get over injuries of this magnitude. Even though he has returned to action, that Achilles is still coming into play.

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