Los Angeles Lakers: 4 people facing most pressure in 2019-20

4. DeMarcus Cousins

There aren’t many players that have been their stock in recent years plummet as DeMarcus Cousins has. It is nothing of his own doing, as injuries have derailed him. Those injuries provided the Los Angeles Lakers with the opportunity to nab a potentially dominant player for a cheap price. However, Cousins is still facing pressure.

Cousins was on good behavior with the Golden State Warriors. He went there hoping to win a title and rehab his value in free agency. Instead, he will play for even less money this season with the Lakers than he did last season with the Warriors.

Cousins overcame the torn Achilles he suffered while with the Pelicans and showed some flashes. He tore his quad in the first round of the playoffs against the Clippers but returned for the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors. It was clear that Cousins wasn’t 100 percent, which impacted his play.

Cousins was attacked consistently by the Raptors in pick-and-rolls. He was already limited on the perimeter defensively before the injury, and those made things even more difficult.

It wasn’t too long ago that Cousins was regarded as the best center in the NBA. While he may never approach that again, he has a chance to improve his stock and hit free agency again next season for a payday.

The pressure will be on. Cousins will want to make a large increase in salary next season but may have to do it in a split role. JaVale McGee earned playing time with his performance last season, and Davis will assuredly see minutes at the 5 spot. Cousins will have to make the most of the opportunities presented to him.