Los Angeles Lakers: Big names to avoid during 2018 NBA free agency

1. DeMarcus Cousins, C, New Orleans Pelicans

For the longest time, I was banging the table for the Lakers to spend their money on DeMarcus Cousins instead of James this offseason. Then he tore his Achilles tendon in early February, and suddenly that didn’t seem like a good idea.

There’s just too much risk in signing a big like Cousins to a massive contract after an injury like that. An Achilles tear comes with a difficult recovery, especially for a 6’11”, 270-pound center. Seeing as the injury happened in February, it’s going to take at least until the beginning of 2019 for Cousins to return to the court.

Even then, I don’t think Cousins will be an option until the Lakers miss on LeBron, PG-13 or both. He’s absolutely a backup plan at this point, and an uninspiring one at that. Los Angeles would be better off waiting until 2019 free agency instead of spending big on a center coming off a major injury.

That’s not to say the Lakers don’t have a need at center. If Brook Lopez takes his talents elsewhere via free agency, the 5-spot will become an immediate sore thumb. Still, is signing the uncertain Cousins to a big-money (potentially max) deal really worth the risk?

Next: Bargain free agency targets for Lakers in 2018

Bringing in Cousins will certainly be a consideration for the Lakers, especially if he costs less than the max. Still, even if that is the case, I don’t think pulling the trigger is the right move. Let him sign a short-term deal with the Pelicans and see how his rehab goes.