According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, releasing DeMarcus Cousins was always on the table for the Los Angeles Lakers after the center tore his left ACL in a pick-up game in Las Vegas.
Cousins, who signed a one-year deal with the Lakers in free agency this offseason, will miss the entire 2019-20 season. LA has applied for a $1.75 million disabled player exception and could cut Cousins if they find a player who will help them next season.
The answer could be cutting Cousins outright. In addition to his injury, TMZ reported in August the four-time All-Star was allegedly recorded threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend. Police in Mobile, Alabama, issued an arrest warrant for Cousins with a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence, per the New York Times. The team and NBA are investigating.
The initial plan was to keep the injured big man under contract for as long as possible, perhaps using his salary in trade later in the year (after December 15), but releasing him was always on the table should the team find the opportunity to replace him with a player who will further L.A.'s title chances. Cousins, if cut, could rehab with the team (with the NBA's permission). Perhaps the domestic allegations will cause the Lakers to seek distance and cut him outright, but that's still unknown.
DeMarcus Cousins signed a $3.5 million contract with the Lakers this summer. He played with the Golden State Warriors last season in hopes of winning a title in his return from an Achilles injury, but the team lost in the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors.
It's unclear if Los Angeles will sign someone or cut Cousins. However, it will certainly be an unfortunate turn if the Purple and Gold decide to part ways with the former All-Star center — once considered as one, if not the best center in the NBA.
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