The Los Angeles Lakers have been dealt a huge injury blow as DeMarcus Cousins has suffered a torn ACL in the offseason. Cousins sustained the injury earlier this week and the severity of the injury was confirmed on Thursday.

There is a real chance the center, who arrived from Golden State Warriors in the summer, could miss the entirety of the coming campaign with his latest injury setback. Cousins has endured a torrid run with injuries recently as 18 months ago he sustained a ruptured Achilles tendon and has also suffered a serious quadriceps injury.

The six-time All-Star could have had a huge role to play for the Lakers in the season ahead. Cousins was due to reunite with his former New Orleans Pelicans team-mate Anthony Davis and the LA outfit are likely to be among the Championship contenders with LeBron James leading their charge, despite the fact they missed out on the playoffs last term.

A big season for Cousins would have set him up for a huge contract next summer, as he has only agreed a one-year deal with the Lakers, but with major concerns regarding his long-term fitness and a chance he won’t play again before he returns to the open market those hopes have been dashed.

Without Cousins, the Lakers do look a little light at center but they should still be able to mount a sustained title bid and they are 5.25 to win the NBA Championship outright.

City rivals the Clippers are 4.20 to secure the top prize and Eastern Conference hopefuls Milwaukee Bucks can be backed at 5.50.