DeMarcus Cousins was viewed as a tertiary piece of the Los Angeles Lakers‘ evolving ‘Big Three’ during the off-season. He was expected to step in, play some minutes at center, and get stronger and healthier as the season progressed.
Instead, the season was over for Boogie before it started. Cousins tore his ACL in preseason camp, 18 months removed from tearing his Achilles tendon with the New Orleans Pelicans. It was a tough blow for the Lakers and an overall hit to the career outlook of the six-time All-Star center.
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically altered the course of the NBA season and in turn, the Lakers’ return to dominance in the NBA.