Los Angeles Lakers: Big names to avoid during 2019 NBA free agency

DeMarcus Cousins, C, Golden State Warriors

On the surface, signing DeMarcus Cousins sounds like an intriguing possibility. The Lakers have a need at center, so why not fill it with one of the game’s best at a bargain-bin price, right? If only it were that cut and dry.

Then again, it’s not that complicated either.

Really, what it comes down to is the uncertainty regarding Cousins’ health. There were already question marks pinned to the big man last offseason, which paved a path for him to sign with the Golden State Warriors. Now, after back-to-back season-ending injuries, signing Cousins could be one of the riskiest gambles of the 2019 offseason.

First it was the Achilles, now it’s the quad. As good as Cousins is, putting your championship hopes on the shoulders of a crumbling center isn’t going to cut it. The Lakers would do well to steer clear of that potential pitfall.

Who knows? If Cousins ends up seeing the court for the Warriors during their upcoming Finals series, teams may be convinced to take a risk. Even if that is the case, the Lakers shouldn’t enter the Boogie sweepstakes. There’s too much on the line in Los Angeles to roll the dice with an injury-prone big like Cousins — even if the asking price is low.