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Los Angeles Lakers: What will the future hold for DeMarcus Cousins?

By Gabriel Saavedra

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 13: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors stands for the National Anthem before Game One of the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on April 13, 2019 in Oakland, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 13: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors stands for the National Anthem before Game One of the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on April 13, 2019 in Oakland, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins’ future in basketball could be in doubt. Cousins has suffered a ton over the past few years with major injuries. Can he be mentally strong enough to give it another go, or does Cousins call it quits?

Los Angeles Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins has had a rough couple of years, to say the least. It all started in New Orleans when he ruptured his Achilles. This sidelined him for half of the 2017-2018 season and most of the regular season of 2018-2019.

From there he went on to play in the playoffs for the Golden State Warriors when he then ruptured his quad. He soon returned to the court that same year to play in the Finals, but Cousins didn’t look like himself or fully healed, either.

Now in the upcoming season of the NBA Cousins had what looked like to be a great shot at a title, and redemption. That dream ended before he could even put on a Los Angeles Lakers jersey and play in Staples. Most of you know by now, but, DeMarcus Cousins suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, which will more than likely keep him from ever playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.

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Cousin’s injuries have all been pretty serious and have also been on the same leg. His left leg in the span of a couple of years has had an Achilles, quad, and now ACL injury. Now, I have no clue why or how he keeps injuring that leg, but it does pose a question for not only teams in the NBA, but Cousins himself. Is he reliable and durable enough to continue to play at the NBA level?

Cousins has a lot to think about. His future depends on his next step. Here is what I think Cousins options could be.

A return to the NBA does not seem out of reach just yet. DeMarcus Cousins, although highly injury-prone, is still a solid player when on the court and many teams could use him. What I think will need to happen if he does decide to return to the court is he will have to change his playing style and focus heavily on taking care of his body.

With injuries this bad something has got to change and the obvious is the playing style. A great example of this is Derrick Rose, who we all know has had his fair share of rough injuries over the years.

Rose found himself again this past season as he averaged 18 points while shooting 48.2% from the field. He sat out and was injured a couple of times during the season, but nothing major. I think most of that has to do with how he changed his play style. DeMarcus would have to do the same.

Instead of being the big that can dribble the ball well and get to the cup doing that, he will have to turn more towards a Shaq type play style. Stay in the post, get boards, and even stay at the 3-point line waiting for the ball, much like Brook Lopez does.

DeMarcus would have to scale back with what he does on the court. Become a minimalist player who does not need the ball in their hands to be effective. Also keep it simple on the defensive end. Guard the big men and if a switch were to happen do your best to stay in front, but don’t push your body too much.

The booth. DeMarcus could have had enough by now. Maybe he does not want to deal with being at the risk of injuring himself anymore. He could very much retire and go right into the booth to commentate the games.

I can see DeMarcus also being on the sidelines as a reporter. It makes sense when you think about it. A recent basketball player talking to the players he calls brothers. I feel it would make it more entertaining and more fun to see a recent NBA player talk to his friends.

Plus he does know a lot about the game, which would mean he could ask high IQ questions, Instead of the same old what needs to change at the start of next quarter type thing.

Maybe DeMarcus steps away from the game entirely. He could very well do that. Become an entrepreneur, an actor, an author, or even a businessman.

Whatever his future entails for him, it will be on his terms, his decisions and his passions. DeMarcus Cousins’ has better days ahead of him. Regardless of what happens from here on out. You can only fall so far, and the only way to get out of that hole he’s fallen into is to climb right out of it.

dark. Next. How Cousins' injury impacts Carmelo Anthony

Everyone at this point wants to see him succeed if there is anything that can come out of these bad times. It’s that he will become more strong and more resilient when all is said and done, good luck DeMarcus, from everyone.

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