NBA: Biggest X-factor for all 30 teams in the 2019-20 season

Los Angeles Lakers: DeMarcus Cousins

Despite playing alongside an incredible collection of talent in the Bay Area, last season was a tough one for DeMarcus Cousins.

If he wasn’t rehabbing a torn Achilles he was making his way back from a torn quad in the playoffs, making it difficult for the once-dominant big man to establish any sort of consistency.

The Los Angeles Lakers have arguably the best one-two punch in LeBron James and Anthony Davis but find themselves surrounded by question marks. Kyle Kuzma has the chance to blossom and complete a purple and gold Big Three.

If anyone has the talent to do so, it’s the man once considered the best at his position in Boogie.

It wasn’t too long ago when the four-time All-Star was in a statistical category all his own with numbers compared only to the all-time greats. Heading into the new season fully healthy and noticeably thinner, there’s a chance for DMC to rediscover his former self.

There’s been no indication by Frank Vogel about his expected starting lineup, but Boogie will find himself a key piece of the rotation no matter his role. No defender can keep him from the basket when healthy and he showed flashes off an outside jumper before succumbing to injury.

Cousins is a unique offensive talent that could vastly help a squad with few go-to options.

LA has finally reasserted itself to contender status but is by no means the overwhelming favorite to take home the title.

AD and LeBron will carry as big a load as they can, but any sort of revival from a man once guaranteed for a nightly 20 and 10 outing could provide a considerable leg up on the competition that was acquired at a bargain price.