2. DeMarcus Cousins is still in play
DeMarcus Cousins is the third Los Angeles Lakers superstar that never was — that is, unless Boogie comes back to the purple and gold next season, which absolutely seems like it is going to be in play.
The Lakers signed Cousins to a one-year deal last summer and he tore his ACL while working out in Las Vegas last August. Now, 14 months removed from the injury and another 2-3 months removed from the start of next season, Cousins should be good to go and is yet again a valuable free-agent target.
We cannot expect Cousins to be the same superstar center that he was four years ago but even 75% of the old Cousins is still far better than McGee. And with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, there is a chance that he is better than 75%.
This would work out perfectly for the Lakers. The team can re-sign both Cousins and Howard to be their two centers and have a very similar minute split as McGee and Howard had. This allows Cousins to ease into his role before amping up in the NBA Playoffs.
Just imagine the floor spacing that would be possible with Cousins. Instead of playing Markieff Morris at the five against Houston, it can be Cousins. Morris is great, Cousins is better.
It appears as if Cousins and the Los Angeles Lakers have a great relationship and I would be hard-pressed to imagine him signing elsewhere this offseason.