NBA: Lakers Investigating Summer Signing's Alleged Domestic Violation

The NBA and the police are investigating Los Angeles Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins who is alleged to have threatened to “put a bullet” in his ex-wife’s head. Christy West made the accusations to the police in Mobile, Alabama, with reports claiming that she has filed a restraining order against the 4-time NBA All-Star.

TMZ Sports released the audio clip of the conversation between the man alleged to be Cousins and the mother of his child. In the conversation, the man first asks for his son to be at his location and when his request was denied, he threatens to put a bullet in the woman’s head and police spokeswoman Charlette Solis is said to have confirmed it was the same recording West gave investigators, according to The Los Angeles Times.

The police report is said to list the alleged offense as a domestic violence misdemeanor for harassing communications. However, for police to proceed with the charges, West would have to sign a warrant.

NBA spokesman Mike Bass confirmed that the league are aware of the allegations and are investigating the same. The NBA’s collective bargaining agreement may see the league fine, suspend, or dismiss and ban players who violate the league’s domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policies.

The Lakers also have been made aware of the allegations surrounding Cousins and have released a statement saying they are taking the claims seriously. They refused to provide any other details and revealed that they are in the process of gathering information on the allegations.

“We are aware of the allegation involving DeMarcus Cousins and, of course, take this claim seriously,” the Lakers said in a statement. “We are in the process of gathering information and will reserve further comment at this time.”

Cousins joined the Lakers as a free agent this summer is currently sidelined with an ACL injury he suffered during a practice game in Las Vegas recently. There is no timeline given on the extent of his injury recovery process but he is expected to miss almost the entirety of the 2019-20 NBA campaign.