Will DeMarcus Cousins Retire After ACL Injury? Fans Think Laker Center Is Done

The Los Angeles Lakers All-Star big man DeMarcus Cousins has reportedly injured himself at practice in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to several sources, the NBA veteran has suffered a torn ACL; he is set to undergo further testing in Los Angeles, California.

Cousins recent injury could potentially sideline him for the rest of the upcoming season. His agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management said that the timeline for his reconstructive surgery is still being discussed.

If it weren't for his nagging injuries, the versatile big man could have easily have commanded max NBA contracts. It seems that "Boogie" is in a much more severe predicament than most people have initially thought.

The 29-year-old center is entering the last years of his prime and the recent injury has proven that his legs aren't meant for the NBA's grueling schedule.

Eighteen months ago, the NBA All-Star ruptured his left Achilles, costing him to miss more regular games in his young NBA career. Last year, the former Kentucky Wildcat signed a one-year, $5.3 million contract with Golden State but suffered a gruesome quadriceps injury in the first round of the playoffs.

Boogie did return in the Finals against a Kawhi Leonard led Raptors team, but seems to have lost his explosiveness and mobility, especially against Serge Ibaka and Pascal Siakam. Toronto won the championship and Cousins decided to join the Lakers this season for a one-year $3.5 million contract.

His current situation would likely cause him to lose money and more NBA games. Some fans are uncertain if he can still play as he did in the 2016-2017 NBA regular season where he averaged 27.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks.

If it wasn't for the injury, Demarcus could have been looking for a break-out season. Not to mention teaming up with LeBron James and former Pelicans teammate Anthony Davis in a stacked Los Angeles squad.

If there's anything else to add to the story, this year might be the last time we see cousins in an NBA uniform. Players that suffer from ACL, Achilles and quad injuries all together are well documented to have lost their speed, explosiveness and athletic ability.

In Cousin's case, playing 82-games on the regular season could aggravate his already existing injuries. The NBA has a grueling schedule and players are expected to grind it out with the world's best athletes.

In 2011, Yao Ming was forced to hang his jersey due to recurring injuries. The Houston Rockets center played scarcely in the last years of his career, and despite his All-Star numbers, the Chinese stand-out opted to retire than risk further damage.

Both have the same predicaments and some predict Cousins will be out of the league in two to three years.

Hardcore basketball fans even believe that Demarcus needs to retire after the recent injury. In an NBA forum, some people think that the four-time NBA All-Star should consider retirement.

In a discussion from Real GM, a fan pointed out that Cousins should have taken the year off to "work on strength and flexibility training." He added that Demarcus came back too soon without "properly strengthening the lower body parts giving him trouble."

Another user thinks that the talented center needs to take as much time as possible to recover. He appended that Cousins needs to re-evaluate next offseason if he's done rehab." If there's anything else that he needs to think about right now is not rushing things.

If he does come back, he should be willing to accept any role that he can get off the bench. If not, he'll be having the same dilemma as Carmelo Anthony is having right now. If he decides to call it quits, he can still be part of any NBA program; he could even have a crack with broadcasting.

It's just unfortunate to see a blooming All-Star injure himself time and time again. We've seen it all before, from Anfernee Hardaway, Tracy McGrady, Brandon Roy and Yao Ming. Let's pray and give "Boogie" the benefit of the doubt, rest easy big man!