With the NBA playoffs just a couple of months away, teams are beginning to shorten their benches while also adding players the waiver wire. If you're a team who believes they can win it all, now is the best time to make some big moves in order to consolidate some depth down the stretch. The Los Angeles Lakers understand this better than anybody as they currently boast the best record in the Western Conference. Just last week, there were rumors that the Lakers would sign free agent Markieff Morris who had just been bought out by the Detroit Pistons. 

Yesterday, the Lakers made the move official on social media. Morris is averaging 11 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists this season. With these numbers in mind, it's clear that Morris will make an impact on this Lakers squad in terms of depth scoring. The Lakers need some extra options coming off the bench and Morris fits that bill perfectly.

The Los Angeles Lakers plan to waive one of their biggest signings from last offseason, DeMarcus Cousins, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images

The former All-Star is a reportedly a popular player in the locker room, but on the court, he’s been unable to contribute in the slightest, after suffering a torn ACL in August. 

The team was able to apply for a disabled player exception since Cousins is set to miss the entire season. The exception is still worth $1.75 million, which is much higher than the league minimum of $694,702.

News of Cousins’ release is surprising, considering head coach Frank Vogel was optimistic about his return for a playoff run over All-Star weekend: “I’m not even sure where he’s at with exactly what he’s doing day-to-day. I just still know he’s a long way away, but they’ve said they’re not ruling out him returning.”

Cousins is expected to be waived in order for the team to bring in newly released forward, Markieff Morris. Morris will be joining his brother, Clippers forward Marcus Morris in Los Angeles. 

“That’s my brother man. Man, if he goes to L.A., then I’m gonna be in Staples Center all the time. I think maybe to y’all it might be weird that I’m going to all his games, but that’s what’ll probably happen. And we’ll probably get a house together,” Marcus said, in regards to his brother joining the Lakers.

Morris clears waivers on Sunday, at which point, Cousins would be officially released.

The Detroit Pistons reached a contract buyout with Markieff Morris on Friday afternoon, paving the way for the 30-year old forward to sign with a title-contender of his choosing. And he might soon be joining his twin brother in Los Angeles, although not as a member of the Clippers.

According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, the Lakers have instantly emerged as the favorites to sign Markieff, after they failed to pull of a trade for his twin brother, Marcus.

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

The Lakers were in talks with the New York Knicks to acquire Marcus Morris ahead of the NBA trade deadline but they were ultimately beat out by the Los Angeles Clippers, who traded a 2020 first round pick and Moe Harkless to NY in exchange for the veteran forward. Now, it looks like they'll have to settle for Markieff's services, although Shams Charania notes that the Toronto Raptors have also expressed interest.

In 44 games with the Pistons, Markieff averaged 11 points and 3.9 rebounds while playing in under 23 minutes per game.