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Los Angeles Lakers: Reaction to the Lakers waiving DeMarcus Cousins

By Zane Harris

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Injured Los Angeles Lakers DeMarcus Cousins #15 works out shooting prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on February 08, 2020 in San Francisco, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Injured Los Angeles Lakers DeMarcus Cousins #15 works out shooting prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on February 08, 2020 in San Francisco, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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DeMarcus Cousins’ stint with the Los Angeles Lakers is officially over before it even started as the team has released the injured big man.

With Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel announcing news of a possible playoff return from DeMarcus Cousins recently, excitement and promise for the team to make a deep playoff run or even win a championship was making its way to the forefront.

Before his injuries, Cousins was cemented as the best center in the league during his years spent with the Sacramento Kings. Along with this, he had spent two years on the New Orleans Pelicans with key Laker players like Anthony Davis and Rajon Rondo.

He also spent time playing with Rondo in Sacramento, which established amazing chemistry and trust between the two players. Even after a brutal injury with the Pelicans where he tore his Achilles, Cousins was predicted to still be capable of playing a huge role with this Lakers team. He was widely regarded as the most important signing the team made in free agency.

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However, he suffered a graphic ACL injury while working out during the offseason. He ended his 2019 playoff run by tearing his quadriceps muscle just a few months before in the NBA finals with the Golden State Warriors.

Even with all of the injuries before this, he was still viewed as a solid starting center and someone who can be a key contributing player on a championship-caliber team. This is exactly what his role was meant to be on the Lakers, but now we will never get to see the hypothetical three-headed snake of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins dominating teams with bruising offense and terrifying interior defense.

With players like Javale McGee and Dwight Howard thriving in Cousins center position, it is assumed that there would not have been enough minutes to go around and they have more dire needs to address at positions such as point guard.

This move raises a few questions for Rob Pelinka and the rest Los Angeles Lakers’ front office. The first is why make this move now? With Cousins being on a timeline to help the Lakers when they will need it most, why would they release him instead of taking advantage of the talent he has?

They could have hypothetically capitalized on this by either playing him when he is healthy or trading him before the trade deadline occurred?

Next. Making the case for Thompson if bought out. dark

The second question, which was if the team would fill the roster spot with a player better suited. Rob Pelinka instantly answered that question by bringing in Markieff Morris.

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