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DeMarcus Cousins has found a team. The former Golden State Warriors center is signing a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, as first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Free agent center DeMarcus Cousins has agreed to a one-year deal with the Lakers, agent Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 6, 2019
Cousins - who tore his Achilles in January, 2018, returned to the court a year later, and then injured his quad in the 2019 playoffs - was not receiving too much interest in free agency.
Despite being a four-time All-Star, the center’s injury concerns (and perhaps locker room reputation, fair or not) had teams hesitant to sign him. Wojnarowski reported earlier in the offseason that no one was even interested in offering Cousins the mid-level exception.
But the Lakers eventually came calling, as did a few other teams. Cousins’ relationship with new Lakers’ star Anthony Davis - the two were teammates with the New Orleans Pelicans - reportedly played a role in Boogie choosing Los Angeles over other suitors.
The Miami Heat had interest in Cousins, but several Lakers players -- including Anthony Davis -- helped convince him on joining LA, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/U2fgWbb8PL
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 6, 2019
The Lakers have gone on a signing frenzy ever since Kawhi Leonard opted to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers. Armed with cap space and many open roster spots, the Lakers also signed former Warriors Quinn Cook and JaVale McGee, as well as veteran wing Danny Green.
Cousins played in 30 games for the Warriors, and averaged 16.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, in 26.7 minutes. He appeared in five playoff games - the only postseason play of his career - and averaged 7.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.
The terms of the deal have not been released.