Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said the club hasn't ruled out a DeMarcus Cousins playoff return.
"We've not closed the door on that," Vogel told reporters, including ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "We'll just - we're going to be a wait and see. With these injuries that are long rehabs, you have to see and take it kind of month to month and see where he's at. But we've not closed the door on a possible return for him."
The veteran big man suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during a private workout in August.
Los Angeles applied and was granted a $1.75-million disabled player exception (DPE) from the league in the wake of Cousins' injury. The club has up until March 10 to use the DPE; exercising it won't prevent Cousins from potentially returning.
Cousins joined the Lakers on a one-year contract in July for just above the veteran's minimum. He was expected to compete for the starting center job alongside JaVale McGee.
The Lakers since signed Dwight Howard for additional depth up front.
Cousins averaged 16.3 points, 8.2 boards, and 1.5 blocks across 30 appearances for the Golden State Warriors last season.
Los Angeles heads into Sunday night's game against the Charlotte Hornets with a 1-1 record.
