NBA rumors: Will Lakers re-sign DeMarcus Cousins?

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Dwight Howard’s late addition to the Los Angeles Lakers roster prior to the beginning of the 2019-2020 season proved to be a key move for the storied NBA franchise.

The 34-year-old veteran was signed following an injury suffered by DeMarcus Cousins during the offseason which ruled him out of the season.

That event gave Howard a chance to shine, and he did, averaging a double-double for the Lakers if you convert his 7.5 PPG and 7.4 RPG stats to per 36 minutes.

With how well Howard is performing off the bench as the Lakers’ back-up center, a question looms regarding Cousins’ immediate future with the team.

Per Brian Windhorst of ESPN:

“I don’t think DeMarcus Cousins is looking at a make-good contract — even if it’s more than a minimum. I think that after a series of injuries he’s had… all of which indicates that he’s coming back too fast, doing too much… he needs even more time of coming back from this. He’s gonna have a job in the league, but I don’t think it’s gonna be a big money.”

It could be remembered that Cousins was waived by the Lakers earlier this year to make a roster spot available for the playoffs, before the coronavirus situation suspended the league.

But Cousins is still recovering and practicing in the Lakers facilities, meaning the relationship might still be good and that the franchise has plans of keeping the center long-term.

That’s perhaps if Cousins could show at least flashes of his old dominant self. The 29-year-old center played only 78 games in the last 3 seasons.

The consensus among online sources is that the Lakers would keep Howard to see what else he can do for the team, before moving forward. That leaves Cousins’ future with the team uncertain, although there is no doubt he is still an NBA level talent that can be pursued by other teams.