The Los Angeles Lakers recently waived DeMarcus Cousins in order to clear up a roster spot for free agent acquisition Markieff Morris.
However, the four-time NBA All-Star may still end up suiting up for the Purple and Gold after all, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
“Well, Cousins won’t be able to do that anymore,” wrote Vardon. “Per league rules, he can continue his rehab with the Lakers, at their practice facility, but he can’t fly on the team plane or sit on the bench once he’s waived. But the Lakers could re-sign him this summer, something both sides have expressed interest in pursuing, sources said.”
Cousins was signed by L.A. in July to shore up the center position behind incumbent starter Javale McGee. However, Cousins tore his ACL a few weeks later, virtually eliminating any real chance he had of playing this season.
Even if he were to make a return this season, it would’ve either been at the end of the regular season or during the playoffs. That’s a very tricky time to integrate a newcomer into a team’s offensive and defensive schemes.
For the Lakers, Dwight Howard, their current backup center, is only under contract for this season. If the team doesn’t re-sign him, it would open up a prime opportunity for the 29-year-old Cousins.
However, in addition to his torn ACL, he’s coming off two other very serious lower-body injuries in the past couple years. He ruptured his Achilles midway through the 2017-18 season, then injured his quad late last season.
When he returned from his quad ailment, he looked very limited physically during the NBA Finals with the Golden State Warriors.
