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Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Lakers Rumors: DeMarcus Cousins Trade Attempt Was ‘Last-Ditch’ Effort To Save Buss, Kupchak
Lakers News

Lakers Rumors: DeMarcus Cousins Trade Attempt Was ‘Last-Ditch’ Effort To Save Buss, Kupchak

Corey Hansford
Published: 02/21/2017
2 Min Read
Lakers Rumors: Team Wants Next Head Coach To Be ‘recruiter-in-chief’
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The Los Angeles Lakers are once again at the forefront of the NBA world as they have officially named Magic Johnson as president of basketball operations, relieving both Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak of all duties.

Just days ago, the Lakers were a big part of rumors about a potential trade for center DeMarcus Cousins. The Lakers refused to part with prized rookie Brandon Ingram in a deal and Cousins was ultimately traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Lakers attempts to get Cousins was no accident as, according to Sam Amick of USA Today, Buss and Kupchak viewed it as a last-ditch effort to save their jobs:

Going after DeMarcus Cousins was Jim & Mitch's last-ditch attempt to save their jobs, I'm told. Jim really wanted him, Mitch handled talks

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) February 21, 2017

Amick also noted that the failure to bring in Cousins, or any other star for that matter, was something that bothered Jeanie Buss:

Jeanie is done w/ Lakers' inability to get stars in Laker Land, & she had always seemed convinced Cousins could calm down in their setting.

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) February 21, 2017

It says a lot about Kupchak and Jim Buss that even though they felt their jobs were on the line, they refused to part with Ingram in a Cousins trade. Plenty would have pulled the trigger on that deal, whether right or wrong, especially if they felt it could save their job.

The Lakers have always been a franchise built on stars. From Elgin Baylor and Jerry West to Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, to Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, this franchise has always had star power, and that is far from the case right now.

Magic will be looking to change that now that he is in control of everything. How long that process takes remains to be seen.

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TAGGED:DeMarcus CousinsJim BussLos Angeles LakersMitch Kupchak
ByCorey Hansford
Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.
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