The Los Angeles Lakers have interest in signing DeMarcus Cousins on a short-term contract, according to sources.

The Lakers are now expected to not be successful in signing Paul George with momentum for him to re-sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Cousins is rehabbing a torn Achilles.

LeBron James is known to be a long-time admirer of Cousins.

The 2018 NBA Draft is underway in Brooklyn.

1. Phoenix Suns: Deandre Ayton 

2. Sacramento Kings: Marvin Bagley

3. Dallas Mavericks (via Atlanta): Luka Doncic

4. Memphis Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr.

5. Atlanta Hawks (via Dallas): Trae Young

6. Orlando Magic: Mohamed Bamba

7. Chicago Bulls: Wendell Carter Jr.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Brooklyn): Collin Sexton

9. New York Knicks: Kevin Knox

10. Phoenix Suns (via Philadelphia): Mikal Bridges

11. Los Angeles Clippers (from Charlotte: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

12. Charlotte Hornets (from Detroit via Clippers): Miles Bridges 

13. Los Angeles Clippers: Jerome Robinson

14. Denver Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr.

15. Washinton Wizards: Troy Brown

16. Philadelphia 76ers (from Phoenix/Miami): Zhaire Smith

17. Milwaukee Bucks: Donte DiVincenzo

18. San Antonio Spurs: Lonnie Walker

19. Atlanta Hawks (from Minnesota): Kevin Huerter

20. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Oklahoma City): Josh Okogie

21. Utah Jazz: Grayson Allen

22. Chicago Bulls (from New Orleans): Chandler Hutchison

23. Indiana Pacers: Aaron Holiday

24. Portland Trail Blazers: Anfernee Simons

25. Los Angeles Lakers (from Cleveland): Moritz Wagner

26. Philadelphia 76ers: Landry Shamet

27. Boston Celtics: Robert Williams

28. Golden State Warriors: Jacob Evans

29. Brooklyn Nets (from Toronto): Dzanan Musa

30. Atlanta Hawks (from Houston): Omari Spellman

Second Round

31. Phoenix Suns: Elie Okobo

32. Memphis Grizzlies: Jevon Carter

33. Dallas Mavericks: Jalen Brunson

34. Charlotte Hornets: Devonte Graham

35. Orlando Magic: Melvin Frazier

36. New York Knicks: Mitchell Robinson

37. Portland Trail Blazers (via Sacramento): Gary Trent Jr.

38. Detroit Pistons (via Philadelphia): Khyri Thomas

39. Los Angeles Lakers (via Philadelphia): Isaac Bonga

40. Brooklyn Nets: Rodions Kurucs

41. Denver Nuggets (via Orlando): Jarred Vanderbilt

42. Detroit Pistons: Bruce Brown

43. Orlando Magic (via Denver): Justin Jackson

44. Washington Wizards: Issuf Sanon

45. Charlotte Hornets (via Brooklyn): Hamidou Diallo

46. Houston Rockets: De'Anthony Melton

47. Los Angeles Lakers: Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk

48. Minnesota Timberwolves: Keita Bates-Diop

49. San Antonio Spurs: Chimezie Metu

50. Indiana Pacers: Alize Johnson

51. New Orleans Pelicans: Tony Carr

52. Houston Rockets (via Utah): Vince Edwards

53. Oklahoma City Thunder: Devon Hall

54. Philadelphia 76ers (via Dallas): Shake Milton 

55. Charlotte Hornets: Arnoldas Kulboka

56. Dallas Mavericks: Ray Spalding

57. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Hervey

58. Denver Nuggets: Thomas Welsh

59. Phoenix Suns: George King

60. Dallas Mavericks: Kostas Antetokounmpo

The Dallas Mavericks believe they have a strong chance to sign DeMarcus Cousins this offseason.

Cousins is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon and the New Orleans Pelicans reached the second round without him. The Pelicans have reportedly been considering offering Cousins a shorter term deal.

The Mavericks own the No. 5 pick and could pass on Mohamed Bamba if he falls to them due to their optimism of signing a big man in free agency.

Clint Capela and DeAndre Jordan could also be options for the Mavericks.

The New Orleans Pelicans denied a request from the Toronto Raptors to interview Chris Finch for an assistant coach position on the staff of Nick Nurse.

Nurse was an assistant coach on the staff of Finch for Great Britain's Olympic team in 2012.

The Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets asked and received permission to interview Finch for their head coaching positions.

In January, it was reported that the Golden State Warriors had circled Anthony Davis as a long-term target to pursue.

Since then, Davis' odds of remaining with the New Orleans Pelicans have likely improved by advancing to the second round.

By virtue of getting past the Houston Rockets and winning their third title in four years, the Warriors will likely be less motivated to pursue Davis in the short-term. But he remains their biggest target.

The Warriors understand that they would likely need to sacrifice Klay Thompson and/or Draymond Green in a package to acquire Davis.

The Warriors have been clear that they will do everything they can to keep their core together for as long as they continue to win titles.

Alvin Gentry and the New Orleans Pelicans have agreed upon a two-year extension through the 20-21 season.

The Pelicans had previously exercised their team option on the 18-19 season for Gentry before the playoffs began.

Gentry will receive a raise for 18-19, a guarantee for 19-20 and a performance-based deal for 20-21.

Gentry signed an original four-year deal with a team option in 2015. 

The decision to extend Gentry gives the Pelicans some level of stability surrounding Anthony Davis.