Former NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins has bluntly dismissed the Los Angeles Lakers' championship aspirations for the upcoming season. His comments arrive as the Lakers wrapped up their preseason schedule with a 106-121 loss to the Denver Nuggets on October 16, finishing with a 2-3 exhibition record.
Cousins was direct in his assessment of the Lakers' roster. "Do I think this is a championship group? No," he said. He acknowledged the team could be dangerous on any given night but stopped short of calling them true contenders. The former star pinpointed the departure of LeBron James as a primary issue, stating he doesn't see the Lakers as a better team without the future Hall of Famer. He also highlighted the risk in betting on Walker Kessler as a third star alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
The offseason moves by General Manager Rob Pelinka have drawn scrutiny. Extending Austin Reaves and trading for Walker Kessler were the headline acts. But letting go of rotation players like Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, and Luke Kennard created holes. New additions Collin Sexton and Quentin Grimes bring uncertainty. Many analysts believe the roster lacks balance, with too many players filling similar roles. This preseason provided a mixed bag, with wins over the Sacramento Kings (127-103 on Oct. 5 and 114-110 on Oct. 8) but heavy losses to the Golden State Warriors (98-124 on Oct. 6 and 89-101 on Oct. 13).
Luka Doncic is the obvious centerpiece. As one of the league's elite offensive engines, he has the capacity to carry a team, as he proved by leading the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals. For the Lakers to replicate that success, Austin Reaves must raise his game to an All-Star level, similar to Kyrie Irving's role on those Mavericks teams. Walker Kessler's defensive impact in the paint will be vital. The rest of the rotation, including Sexton and Grimes, must validate Pelinka's faith in them. The team's immediate focus shifts to the regular season opener at home against the Golden State Warriors on October 21.
Cousins' skepticism sets a clear challenge for this Lakers squad. Their preseason results, including the final loss to Denver, showed both flashes of potential and clear areas for growth. The Western Conference is brutal, with teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and defending champion Nuggets all ranked higher. The Lakers' journey to silence doubters begins now.
