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The Los Angeles Lakers intend to waive DeMarcus Cousins to clear a roster spot for Markieff Morris.
Morris negotiated a buyout with the Detroit Pistons on Friday, leaving $4.3 million (his remaining salary for this season and the next) on the table.
Cousins, a popular player in the Lakers' locker room, has not played this season because of a torn ACL in his left knee. Earlier this season, the Lakers successfully applied for a disabled player exception for Cousins because the injury was expected to keep him out the entire season.
The disabled player exception is worth $1.75 million, which is significantly higher than the prorated minimum of $694,702 the Lakers could offer a player who has been waived at this point of the season.
Morris, 31, has appeared in 44 games for the Pistons this season, averaging 11 points and 3.9 rebounds. He's able to play both forward spots and is a good rebounder and defender. Over nine seasons, he has averaged 11.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 623 games.
Cousins probably will not be waived until Sunday night after Morris clears waivers, according to Marks. Cousins has roughly $1 million left on his $3.5 million contract. A claiming team would have non-Bird rights and could offer him a contract up to $4.2 million (or midlevel exception/cap space) as a free agent.
Cousins is a four-time All-Star with the Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans. He was also with the Golden State Warriors for one season before joining the Lakers this season.
Morris negotiated a buyout with the Detroit Pistons on Friday, leaving $4.3 million (his remaining salary for this season and the next) on the table.
Cousins, a popular player in the Lakers' locker room, has not played this season because of a torn ACL in his left knee. Earlier this season, the Lakers successfully applied for a disabled player exception for Cousins because the injury was expected to keep him out the entire season.
The disabled player exception is worth $1.75 million, which is significantly higher than the prorated minimum of $694,702 the Lakers could offer a player who has been waived at this point of the season.
Morris, 31, has appeared in 44 games for the Pistons this season, averaging 11 points and 3.9 rebounds. He's able to play both forward spots and is a good rebounder and defender. Over nine seasons, he has averaged 11.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 623 games.
Cousins probably will not be waived until Sunday night after Morris clears waivers, according to Marks. Cousins has roughly $1 million left on his $3.5 million contract. A claiming team would have non-Bird rights and could offer him a contract up to $4.2 million (or midlevel exception/cap space) as a free agent.
Cousins is a four-time All-Star with the Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans. He was also with the Golden State Warriors for one season before joining the Lakers this season.