Los Angeles Lakers: 3 free-agent centers that would improve the roster
DeMarcus Cousins
Potentially the most realistic option to join the purple and gold, DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins would be the ideal replacement to come in and take over from where Dwight left off.
Howard in fact was the player to come in to replace Cousins when he suffered a season-ending injury during the pre-season. The rest they say is history.
The Los Angeles Lakers took a shot on DeMarcus Cousins last season, and to all indications before his injury, Cousins was in the best shape of his life and was working hard to be a serious contributor for the Lakers that season.
Both Cousins and the Lakers were robbed of this but the 2020-21 NBA season might just be the reintroduction of one DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins.
In his prime, pre-injuries, Cousins was easily one of, if not the most dominant center in the NBA.
Cousin’s skill set on both ends of the floor just isn’t fair.
Blessed with brute strength that forces players out of his way whether they like it or not, Cousins can get to the rim at will and score with the best of them.
He doesn’t need his strength to beat you all the time, he can use his vast array of post moves and counters, he can face you up and shoot right in your face, he can step out to the 3-point line and drain shots from there and he can even pass out of double and triple teams in order to get an open 3-point shot for his teammates.
On defense, he isn’t the elite of the elite but he can definitely stop some of the best players in the game from getting going in the paint. Blessed with excellent foot speed for his size as well as a wildly competitive nature, Cousins can dominate on both ends of the floor.
If Cousins can be 70% of the player he was in his prime, the Lakers will have an amazing big man duo in DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis who has played before, have chemistry on the court and who are really good friends.
The ideal scenario for the Los Angeles Lakers would be to sign DeMarcus Cousins, have him be the starter, and have Dwight Howard re-sign and play minutes off the bench.
God help any team in the NBA who would have to deal with the brute strength of Dwight Howard and DeMarcus Cousins for an entire game whilst also dealing with Anthony Davis and LeBron James.