Many were surprised to learn that the Los Angeles Lakers reportedly passed on signing DeMarcus Cousins with their mid-level exception, but the organization did have a reason for their decision.
According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, the Lakers did not feel they were in a position where they could wait deep into the season until Cousins was healthy, instead choosing to pursue players who could safely be counted on to contribute from day one.
More on the Lakers and DeMarcus Cousins: League sources say they remain Cousins fans but felt they had to pass on signing him now — even at a reduced rate — because the Lakers don't share the Warriors' luxury of waiting until January or February for Cousins' return from injury
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 4, 2018
Magic Johnson and Jeanie Buss — collaborating, I'm told, on all aspects of the Lakers' planning — want the team to be as competitive as possible next season and thus felt the timing didn't allow for signing a player, however talented, who could miss half the season or more https://t.co/5ZU9kOvg4v
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 4, 2018
Fair enough. The Lakers are trying to make an impact from the start, and Cousins was simply too much of a wildcard. It ultimately sounds like it was a series of fluke events that led Cousins to Golden State, where he wasn’t even necessarily their first choice either.
