DeMarcus Cousins has been diagnosed with torn ACL and could miss the entire season. The Los Angeles Lakers must act fast and sign Kenneth Faried.
As the Los Angeles Lakers look for options to replace DeMarcus Cousins, one name that could be a potential replacement is Kenneth Faried.
Faried played with the Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets last season. He averaged 10.4 points on 58.9% shooting and 6.4 rebounds per game. Faried saw increase in playtime with the Houston Rockets, and he averaged 12.9 points on 58.7% shooting, and 8.2 rebounds per game.
Also, he shot 35% from the three as well, making 7-of-20 attempts. If Faried can at least spread the floor, and knock down a couple of threes, the Lakers should sign him without any hesitation.
Faried has always been the hustle guy, the energizer off the bench, and he will fit perfectly with this Lakers team. Last season, we saw Faried play with the Rockets, and whether he started the games, came off the bench, or was on the basketball court to end games, he always played with the same mentality.
Throughout his career, Faried has averaged 11.4 points on 54.6% shooting, and 8.1 rebounds per game. He’s averaged 3.1 offensive rebounds per game as well, and the Lakers will need all the help they can get in that category, as they were ranked 14th in the league last season.
The one thing fans know Faried will do game in and game out, is give it 100% every time he’s in the game. He has not won a championship yet, and he will have a great opportunity with the Lakers. Any player in the NBA would want to win a championship(s).
Faried wants to be given another opportunity and play on an NBA team, and the Lakers need another big man. So it’s the best of both worlds. Faried will not have the same impact as DeMarcus Cousins would, but he will grab rebounds and give the Lakers second chance opportunities. Also, he will hold his ground against opposing power forwards and centers. Faried can also be a good locker room presence.
Faried is entering his 9th year in the NBA, and he could still give you solid minutes, as well as mentor guys like Kyle Kuzma and Devontae Cacok. Faried is one of the best free-agent options remaining, and the Lakers must sign him immediately before another team gets to him.