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Los Angeles Lakers: Pros and cons of pursuing DeMarcus Cousins

By Jason Reed

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

Pro: It gives the Los Angeles Lakers their answer at center

The Los Angeles Lakers could realistically add a starter to two different positions without having to shift the team around. The first would be shooting guard, as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a free agency and Josh Hart isn’t a title-winning starting shooting guard.

The other is at center as the Los Angeles Lakers have virtually no options at center next season. Of course, the team is going to fill out the position, but as it stands right now the outlook at center is bleak.

JaVale McGee and Tyson Chandler are both going to be free agents and while the Lakers should bring back one, the team should not bank on either of them starting and eating significant minutes.

Ivica Zubac was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for practically nothing and likely was not going to be re-signed anyways as he was going to be a restricted free agent. That really only leaves the Lakers with Moritz Wagner, who has not proven anything yet at the NBA level.

Cousins would fill this void for the Lakers while also serving as the second star. There are a good amount of options available this summer, with Cousins having the biggest upside.

DeAndre Jordan, Enes Kanter and others are still viable options; Cousins still trumps all of them.

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