The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a major blow to their 2019-20 NBA campaign after new recruit DeMarcus Cousins went down with a possible knee injury. Boogie allegedly bumped knees with an opposing player and was forced off the court.
Videos of the whole incident were obtained by TMZ Sports, showing how the four-time NBA All-Star screaming and falling after attempting a routine layup. It would, later on, be confirmed that Cousins tore his ACL after undergoing tests, sources told Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Seeing how Cousins may need up to one year to recuperate from the injury, the Lakers will now have to decide on alternatives. That includes looking at available free agents to beef up the middle with Boogie more likely to be sidelined for the 2019-20 NBA season.
According to Hoops Hype, the Lakers may have to revisit the free-agent market and decide soon. Among the names that could be considered include Joakim Noah, Mareese Speights, Amir Johnson, Kenneth Faried, Marquese Chris or even Willie Reed. They could even look into the condition of Amar'e Stoudemire although he too has had his share of injuries in his career.
Going further, there are curious names that are available but have low chances of being considered by the Lakers. That includes Dwight Howard (ironically a former Laker who left the team after one season), Nene, Andrew Bogut or even Kosta Koufos. Though long shots, they could be honorable mentions as general manager Rob Pelinka and first-year head coach Frank Vogel scamper to address the situation in the middle.
As for Cousins, frustration is understandably building. Last season with the Golden State Warriors, it took him some time before eventually suiting up for the Dubs. After recuperating from a torn left Achilles, he also suffered a quad injury in Game 2 of the Western Conference first-round playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers. He did return in the NBA Finals but was obviously not at 100-percent health.
Looking ahead, it also does not speak well for the 5th overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft. With his spate of injuries, future teams will be apprehensive of taking him in and giving him a lucrative deal. A breakout year with the Lakers would have pushed him towards that.
But now it appears he is back to the same situation when he joined the Warriors last season. Once he fully recovers, all the temperamental big man can do is try to rebuild himself once more - with plenty of caution.
