The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly passed up on the chance to acquire big man DeMarcus Cousins due to concerns about his injury, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times.

The Lakers, unlike the Golden State Warriors, who jumped at the chance to sign him, did not share the luxury of being able to wait until December or January, his projected return from a season-ending Achilles injury.

President Magic Johnson and owner Jeanie Buss have reportedly collaborated in all aspects of this decision-making, hoping to put together the most competitive team possible after having landed LeBron James with a four-year, $154 million commitment.

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The Warriors won't have a problem winning without Cousins due to their already proven depth, but the Lakers are in a different situation, boasting no clear option at center, so they would likely be hindered waiting for Cousins' return from injury.

Yet, this conservative approach could prove rather costly, with teams like the Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder aggressively pursuing deals to compete in a fierce Western Conference.

The Lakers have also been rumored to wait until Kawhi Leonard becomes a free agent in 2019 to pitch him into joining the team, but the purple-and-gold will have other competing teams with cap space in the L.A. Clippers and the New York Knicks, among others, ready to make an offer for the San Antonio Spurs star forward.