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Should the Toronto Raptors take a look at DeMarcus Cousins?

By Thomas Valentine

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 21: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers works out to assistant coach Phil Handy prior to the start of a basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center on February 21, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 21: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers works out to assistant coach Phil Handy prior to the start of a basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center on February 21, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

After the Los Angeles Lakers waived DeMarcus Cousins on Friday, he’s now a free agent. Should the Toronto Raptors show any interest?

The past few years have been something of a blur for DeMarcus Cousins, and now that he is on the move once again after the Los Angeles Lakers waived him on Friday, seemingly to make room for Markieff Morris, one can only wonder if the Toronto Raptors will take a look at the former two-time All-NBA center.

In the past two seasons, Cousins has played just 78 total games with stints at the New Orleans Pelicans and the Golden State Warriors after spending the first seven years of his career with the Sacramento Kings. Cousins was one of the best centers in the game while playing with the Kings, but ultimately, the team would only tread water and traded Cousins to the Pelicans at the trade deadline in the 2016-17 NBA season.

A year later and he would only feature in 48 games for the Pelicans after tearing his Achilles against the Houston Rockets. It was a contract year for the former Kentucky Wildcat and the Pelicans elected to let him walk in free agency before wound up signing with the, at the time, reigning champion Golden State Warriors for the taxpayer mid-level exception.

Cousins spent the first half of the year rehabbing with the Warriors before stepping into a starting role down the stretch and, after sustaining a torn quadricep in the first round of the playoffs, he made his return in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors.

Initially, he struggled in the Finals before playing a pivotal role in taking the series to a Game 6 after his 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting in Game 5. The Warriors didn’t keep Cousins after the season ended and he moved on to the Los Angeles Lakers, teaming up with his former Pelicans teammate, Anthony Davis, and LeBron James.

If Cousins were to start, it would allow Davis to play in his preferred position of power forward, but unfortunately, he tore his ACL in training camp. The third injury in just over two seasons would derail Cousins’ momentum and he wouldn’t step foot on the court for the Lakers.

That’s where we are now.

Cousins is on the hunt for his fourth team in three years and with the Toronto Raptors potentially in search of center help, it’s fair to wonder if they will take a look at him.

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