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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 big men besides DeMarcus Cousins to pursue

By Cameron Salce

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 06: Hassan Whiteside #20 of the Sacramento Kings warms up prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls at Golden 1 Center on January 06, 2021 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 06: Hassan Whiteside #20 of the Sacramento Kings warms up prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls at Golden 1 Center on January 06, 2021 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

The Los Angeles Lakers opened up an extra roster spot earlier this week by waiving point guard Quinn Cook and immediately the speculation began that they would reunite with DeMarcus Cousins, who was released by the Rockets and was on the Lakers’ roster last season.

Despite his tremendous talent, there are big men that might be on the buyout market that would be a better fit for what this current Lakers team needs as the team reportedly does not prioritize Boogie.

During this rough four-game losing streak without Anthony Davis helping protect the interior of the paint, it has been clear that the Lakers have lacked that elite rim protection that they enjoyed last season.

Last year’s championship team included three players that finished in the top 20 in the league in blocked shots, Dwight Howard, Javale McGee, and AD, none of them are walking on to the court in a Lakers jersey anytime soon.

One mistake general manager Rob Pelinka might have made when constructing this roster in the offseason was letting both McGee and Howard walk without signing another rim protector and finisher to take their place.

Instead, he replaced them with Veteran Marc Gasol who is a much different type of player at this point in his career, he can stretch a defense by hitting the occasional 3-pointer but he is much less of a shot-blocking threat than he once was at 36 years of age.

Last season proved that AD flourished when he can play power forward alongside a traditional Center who can help rebound and protect the paint. It would be wise for the Lakers to sign a big man that can help fill this role in Davis’ absence and to help ease him back into the rotation when he is back on the floor.

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