Injuries are a part of sports, but that doesn’t make them any easier to tolerate. Unfortunately, New Orleans Pelicans big man DeMarcus Cousins suffered a torn Achilles on Friday night in a win over the Houston Rockets, and the ramifications will be far-reaching, even for the Los Angeles Lakers.
LN News Feed host Trevor Lane broke down the injury and dug into what the impact will be on the Western Conference this season. Could Los Angeles sneak back into the playoff race, or has that ship already sailed?
Plus, the trade deadline is just under two weeks away. How will the Cousins injury impact the moves the Pelicans will make, and might it make the Lakers more likely to keep their team intact?
With a lot at stake, we take a look at all the ways that losing Cousins for the remainder of the season is going to change trade talks.
Finally, the big question on everyone’s mind is what happens to the Lakers’ free-agent plans now? They have their sights set on landing two max-free agents this summer by using their hard-earned salary cap space.
But will Cousins still get a big offer despite a very serious injury? Would the Lakers still consider him an option? If they don’t, what would the next step be?
The team would clearly still target LeBron James and Paul George, but with Cousins gone, that leaves no fall back options should either George or James decide not to join the Lakers. We take a look at what LA may do to pivot should their plan fall to pieces.
Click the player above to listen to the show.
Sponsor: Seat Geek will give you $20 off your first purchase when you use the promo code Nation. Check them out and get a great deal on concert or sporting event tickets!
WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSION? CHECK OUT THE NEW LAKERS NATION FORUM CLUB
