Lakers set to host DeMarcus Cousins for workout next week

Time for DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis to reunite once again with the Los Angeles Lakers? A workout has been scheduled to make that a possibility.

Cousins previously signed with the franchise in 2019-20, but never suited up in a live game due to injury. With the Lakers in need of frontcourt help — unfortunately in part due to Davis’ recent foot injury — the team is bringing the four-time All-Star in for a workout next week.

Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes was the first to break the news.

The Los Angeles Lakers intend to bring in four-time NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins for a workout next week, league sources tell @BleacherReport: https://t.co/koEOoAy9Rm

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 6, 2023

The workout comes after the NBA’s restriction on 10-day contracts was lifted on Thursday. He could sign a series of short-term deals while Davis works his way back to the floor, and should things go well, he could sign a contract to keep him in Los Angeles for the remainder of the year.

Injuries derailed Cousins’ standout NBA career, rupturing his Achilles, tearing his quadriceps and tearing his ACL in a two-year stretch from 2018 to 2019. Prior to that difficult stretch, though, he averaged 21.1 points and 10.8 rebounds per game in seven seasons in Sacramento and 25.0 points, 12.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per contest in two seasons in New Orleans. He was an NBA All-Star four straight seasons from 2014-2018.

From 2018 through 2022, Cousins played for five different teams across three seasons, averaging double-digit points just once (16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in 30 games with the Golden State Warriors in 2018-19). After his brief stint with the Lakers, he then suited up for the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers in 2020-21 then the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets in 2021-22.

Now in 2022-23, the former Wildcat is waiting for his next opportunity.

During his lone season at Kentucky, Cousins averaged 15.1 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game before declaring for the 2010 NBA Draft, where he was selected fifth overall by the Kings.