Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Players who must step up after injury to DeMarcus Cousins

– JaVale McGee

One of the players who the injury to Cousins will have the biggest impact on will be JaVale McGee. While McGee might have been the starting center for the Lakers to begin with last season, his minutes per game will surely see a boost with Cousins not able to play.

Fortunately for the Lakers, they know what to expect from McGee. After coming over from the Golden State Warriors, McGee was one of the bright spots for the Lakers in what was a disappointing season as a whole last year.

Last season for the Lakers, McGee averaged 12.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. McGee was certainly a difference-maker for the Lakers on both ends of the court last season.

McGee played just over 22 minutes per game last season with the Lakers, and that likely would have been a number that would have decreased a bit with Cousins. However, now we will likely see McGee around that number once again next season.

Despite dealing with a nasty bout of pneumonia last season, McGee was durable and reliable for the Lakers. This season, the Lakers will once again be relying heavily on him to be a contributor. Luckily for the Lakers, McGee has proven that he can be a starting center in the NBA.