Los Angeles Lakers: Comparing LeBron James’ season to other top free agents

LeBron James vs. DeMarcus Cousins

2018-19 Season Averages

LeBron James:

27.4 points | 8.5 rebounds | 8.3 assists | 1.3 steals | 0.6 blocks | 51.0% FG | 33.9% 3PT | 66.5% FT | 3.6 TOV | 25.7 PER | 7.2 WS (Win Shares) (55 games | 35.2 mins)

DeMarcus Cousins:

16.3 points | 8.1 rebounds | 3.5 assists | 1.3 steals | 1.5 blocks | 49.4% FG | 27.7% 3PT | 74.2% FT | 2.3 TOV | 22.2 PER | 2.5 WS (Win Shares) (28 games | 25.5 mins)

Per 36 mins:

23.0 points | 11.4 rebounds | 4.9 assists | 1.9 steals | 2.2 blocks | 49.4 FG | 27.7% 3PT | 74.2% FT | 3.3 TOV

Playing next to Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson affords DeMarcus Cousins the freedom to operate in the post and at the 3-point line. When asked how it felt like not getting constantly double-teamed, Cousins said, “This is a first, in my entire basketball career. I definitely could get used to this.”

Cousins’ per-36 numbers are both more accurate of his current abilities and not. Since his season debut in January, Cousins has been gently eased into the Warriors’ rotation for maximum impact come playoff time.

At 25.5 minutes per game, we may be watching restricted Cousins playing with limited minutes or diminished Cousins playing at his peak. Without having to be the No. 1 option on the Warriors, Cousins may simply be benefiting from playing alongside the best shooting backcourt in NBA history and the reigning two-time NBA Finals MVP.

Thus, it is too early to tell whether Cousins could consistently maintain this level of production playing 36 minutes a night.

Winner: LeBron James