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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 reasons to stay away from DeMarcus Cousins

By Jason Reed

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - JUNE 08: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the LA Clippers warms up before Game One of the Western Conference second-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on June 8, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - JUNE 08: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the LA Clippers warms up before Game One of the Western Conference second-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on June 8, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. DeMarcus Cousins just isn’t good anymore

The entire reason this article exists is because of some fan speculation that the Los Angeles Lakers should pursue DeMarcus Cousins and give him a second chance. Thus far, there are no confirmed reports of the Lakers pursuing Cousins, but then again, there were not many reports on them pursuing the other guys they signed, either.

Laker fans should hope it stays that way and the fans that are mulling a potential Cousins signing should give it up. Yes, he is a big name and a former All-NBA player but Cousins simply is not that good anymore.

Is he good enough to stay employed? Yes. But the injuries have taken a toll on Cousins and his production has dipped significantly because of it. Some may bring up Dwight Howard as a revival job by the Lakers and that is fair, but the situation is different.

Howard is asked to do two very specific things: rebound and shot block. It was not so much a revival for Howard but merely him taking a step back and realizing his new place in the league, and becoming more efficient because of it.

Cousins’ play style is not that simple and he would try and bring the same playmaking and three-point shooting to the team. If the recent numbers are any indication, he is nowhere close to the same player.

His baseline box score numbers are not terrible but he was still a negative on the offensive side of the floor (-1.2 Offensive Box Plus/Minus). Cousins posted a 16.4 PER last season, which is not good at all for a big man. He ranked 28th among 40 centers with at least 700 minutes played last season.

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That was better than Marc Gasol, who was disappointing last season, but Gasol is still solid defensively and is already on the roster. It does not fix anything to bring in another mediocre big man.

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