Lakers news: LeBron James denied chance to play with DeMarcus Cousins
GETTY LeBron James' Lakers turned down the chance to sign DeMarcus Cousins this week
Cousins sent shockwaves across the NBA after announcing he would be joining the defending champions, Golden State Warriors, on a one-year deal worth $5.3m. Hours later, it was revealed Cousins had previously turned down a two-year extension from the New Orleans Pelicans worth a reported $40m, incensing many NBA fans. However, according to New York Times NBA insider Marc Stein, Cousins was hopeful about joining James’ new-look Lakers outfit over the Warriors – but the opportunity was turned down by the 16-time champions. Describing the situation, Stein wrote: “Word also reached us Monday night that LeBron’s Lakers, after signing Rajon Rondo away from New Orleans and then losing [Julius] Randle to the Pelicans, had an opportunity to sign Cousins at a one-year price point similar to the one that landed him in Golden State.
GETTY DeMarcus Cousins penned a one-year $5.3m deal with the Golden State Warriors this week
“But I’m told the Lakers passed, clearing the way for the Warriors to infuriate the basketball public yet again.” Cousins, a four-time All-Star, is currently recovering from a torn Achilles suffered during the Pelicans’ loss to the Houston Rockets in January. The timetable for his return is currently unclear, with the typical recovery time ranging anywhere between nine to 18 months. Cousins joins the like of fellow NBA stars Wes Matthews, Elton Brand and Rudy Gay in having suffered the dreaded Achilles injury, each of whom struggled to return to previous form after the devastating damage was done. Opinion was divided among Lakers fans after news the team had passed on Cousins emerged online, with some questioning why the team did not pull the trigger on signing the 27-year-old while others praised GM Rob Pelinka for approaching the deal with scepticism. “We've seen first hand the drop off after an Achilles tear and that was with someone who took the best care of their body in the league and worked his ass off as hard as anyone would to get back,” read one comment, referring to Lakers legend Kobe Bryant’s recovery from the same injury in 2013.
GETTY DeMarcus Cousins suffered a torn Achilles back in January