DeMarcus Cousins Is Not Optimistic About The Lakers' Chances This Season
Jan 20, 2026
On paper, the Los Angeles Lakers are in good shape to secure a playoff spot this season. With a 25–16 record, they’re currently sixth in the Western Conference and well within striking distance of No. 4 Minnesota Timberwolves (27–16) and No. 5 Houston Rockets (25–15). Luka Doncic is posting MVP numbers, Austin Reaves is a Most Improved Player candidate, and LeBron James is still doing LeBron things.
Not so fast, says player-turned-analyst DeMarcus Cousins. In a recent edition of “Run It Back,” Cousins laid out the reasons behind his skepticism toward the Lakers’ chances.
“They’re just horrible defensively,” the four-time All-Star said bluntly. “You’re not winning a championship in this league without a [top-tier] defense.”
Cousins’ statement is a gut punch of reality for the purple and gold squad. The Lakers are currently 26th in defensive rating, giving pundits a reason to immediately dismiss them as title contenders. They’re particularly vulnerable on the perimeter (24th in opponents’ 3-point percentage), but they’re not exactly good at containing inside points, either (16th in points in the paint allowed).
Compounding the situation is the fact that the Lakers are in a historically tough environment. “I believe that, if this team were in the East, they would have a chance to come out,” Cousins speculated. “But, the West being as dominant and rough as it is this year, it’s just hard for this team to be listed above the Denvers, the Spurs, and the OKCs of the world.”
Those teams, as a matter of fact, are the summits that the Lakers need to conquer before once again breathing the rare air of the NBA Finals. It’s a tall task, however, for the defensively challenged Lakers to approach the tier of the Nuggets (29–14), the Spurs (30–13), and the defending champions (36–8).
The Lakers certainly have time to improve, but the clock is ticking as the February 5 trade deadline draws near. Once that date comes to pass, one of the winningest franchises in NBA history will have barely two months to jockey for playoff position and establish itself as a bona fide contender this season.
By the summer of 2026, they’ll be happy to ultimately prove Cousins wrong.
