Reports: Lakers to waive DeMarcus Cousins to make room to sign Markieff Morris

Just last week, it was thought DeMarcus Cousins could see the court for the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs. Cousins will now have to continue his rehab as a free agent, having never played a game for Los Angeles.

The Lakers plan to waive Cousins to open up a roster spot, according to multiple reports Friday. The team then reportedly plans to sign Markieff Morris after he reached a buyout agreement with the Detroit Pistons.

Cousins signed with the Lakers as a free agent in July on a discounted one-year, $3.5 million deal. He then suffered a torn left ACL in August while working out in Las Vegas and has been rehabbing throughout the 2019-20 regular season.

Lakers coach Frank Vogel declined to address the reports Friday before Los Angeles played the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center. When asked if he could explain the front office’s thought process on waiving Cousins, Vogel said, "I don’t have any comment on rumors and reports."

Cousins still attended the Lakers’ walk-through before the game and then hugged team officials on his way to the locker room. He hung out briefly in the locker room during pregame access before heading to the players’ lounge.

All things Lakers: Latest Los Angeles Lakers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Last week at the All-Star Game in Chicago, Vogel said Cousins was "on track" to return during the playoffs. However, Vogel appeared to push back when he addressed Cousins' status again Thursday.

"I’m not even sure where he’s at with exactly what he’s doing day-to-day," Vogel said. "I just still know he’s a long way away, but they’ve said they’re not ruling out him returning. That’s really all I can give you."

Cousins himself had begun to consider how he might fit on the Lakers roster with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and company. Appearing on Showtime's "All the Smoke" podcast this week, Cousins spoke with hosts Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson about the type of role he hoped to play for Los Angeles.

"We got so many guys with different abilities," Cousins said. "I mean, I can spot up. Bron is going to draw everybody whenever he decides to move. I'm pretty confident I can knock down the shot. We got shooters all over the floor. I mean, I can play-make. Like, it's pick your poison."

Cousins tore his left Achilles in January 2018 while with the New Orleans Pelicans. He signed a one-year deal with the Golden State Warriors that summer and returned late last season before suffering a quad injury in the first round of the playoffs. Cousins then made a surprise return for the NBA Finals and played in all six games.

The fifth overall pick in the 2010 draft, Cousins has career averages of 21.2 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.

Contributing: Mark Medina in Los Angeles.