Could DeMarcus Cousins be the next Los Angeles Lakers franchise player?

With Kobe Bryant calling it a career after this season, the Lakers find themselves in search of a new big name to lead the franchise. And according to Morning News USA, the Lakers may consider parting with two of their three supposed stars of the future — Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle.

Cousins was once untouchable, someone Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé called his franchise player. But recent developments that included disciplinary actions may have changed the landscape of the Kings moving forward, and hence the rise of trade rumors involving Cousins.

Roy Hibbert is included in that three-team scenario and seeing that both practically cross each other out in the salary area, the Kings will likely look for additional perks in the package. Clarkson and Randle could be that bait since the Kings were interested in them and rookie D'Angelo Russell in the offseason.

As everyone knows, the Lakers folded with that demand as the franchise leaned on Clarkson, Randle, and Russell as the future of the team.

But with Kobe's retirement and a change in lineup, that outlook may have changed. Only Russell seems to be in the plans of the Lakers, wherein if the trade does materialize, they could see a potential tandem involving Cousins and Russell.

The Kings are expected to benefit immediately from the trade, seeing how Clarkson and Randle can immediately fit into the system of head coach George Karl.

With Rajon Rondo recalling his form, nixing Russell in the package could make sense. But are the Lakers that desperate where they would dislodge Clarkson who has been showing up great as of late?

Hibbert and Randle are at the core of the Lakers' frontline but both haven't exactly been shining bright. Could this be a trade going down before the February National Basketball Association (NBA) trade deadline?