Lakers to Work Out DeMarcus Cousins

The Lakers intend to work out veteran center DeMarcus Cousins, according to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report.

Cousins, 32, is 6-foot-10 and finished last season with the Nuggets after signing with the Bucks. He has been working out six days a week in Las Vegas in hopes of an NBA return, Haynes reported.

“I think the misperception of me is that I’m this angry monster that just goes around bullying people, beating people up, uncoachable, and a cancer in the locker room,” Cousins said recently, via Haynes. “I think it’s all false. I played for coach (John) Calipari, a legendary coach. I was more than coachable. Steve Kerr would attest to that and Coach (Michael) Malone.

“Obviously, you can always go back to my time in Sacramento. I was a young kid. I was still figuring this business out. I was ignorant to a lot of things. I handled a lot of things the incorrect way, but I’ve also learned from those mistakes. … To hold my time in Sac over my head, I think that’s unfair. I believe we all should have a chance to grow and change and actually have that change be embraced. I just want a fair shot.”

Cousins has also spent time with the Clippers, Rockets, Warriors, Pelicans and Kings, where he flourished as a six-time All-Star from 2014-18.

Meanwhile, the Lakers are reportedly searching for a veteran big man who can help spell Anthony Davis (when healthy).

In related news, they intend to sign guard/forward Sterling Brown to a 10-day contract (full post) and are guaranteeing the contracts for guard Austin Reaves and power forward Wenyen Gabriel, as we relayed here.

Along with that, they have worked out free-agent shooting guard Tyler Dorsey (full post).

The Los Angeles Lakers intend to bring in four-time NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins for a workout next week, league sources tell @BleacherReport: https://t.co/koEOoAy9Rm

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 6, 2023