Despite their interest in several players ahead of the NBA trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers made just one deal to strengthen their roster, led by Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves.
The trade saw the Lakers move Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Luke Kennard. While they had eyes for a few other targets, nothing else came to fruition as the deadline has now passed.
However, while some Laker fans might be wishing for more, that doesn’t mean Los Angeles is done making moves this season. According to team insider Dave McMenamin, after that trade, the Lakers have an open roster spot, and they could be a top candidate to land a player on the buyout market.
“The Vincent-Kennard swap is the lone transaction the Lakers completed before the deadline, sources said,” McMenamin wrote in a post on X. “Now L.A. is focused on evaluating its two-way spots and monitoring the buy-out market. The Lakers have one open roster spot, but could create another one by waiving a player.”
While the Lakers have now added the most efficient three-point shooter in the NBA with Kennard, they now have the chance to snag another impactful player in time for a playoff push.
Lakers Buyout Candidates After Trade Deadline
The annual NBA buyout market features players bought out of their contracts from their previous teams. It usually consists of veterans who were traded to younger teams that are looking for one more title shot and the ability to play with a contender. This year, there are a few interesting candidates who are either currently on the buyout market or expected to be on it very soon.
Per recent articles on Bleacher Report and CBS Sports, here are a few buyout candidates following the trade deadline:
Chris Paul, Mike Conley, Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, Cam Thomas, and Khris Middleton.
Conley is expected to go back to the Timberwolves, while Ball is rumored to be heading to the Hornets to team up with his brother. DeRozan is still under contract, and with the massive amount he’s still owed, the possibility of him being a buyout candidate is more unlikely than the rest on this list.
The Nets have already bought out Thomas, and he could be a strong addition for the Lakers in the final third of the season.
Middleton’s future is uncertain, but he could also be a solid shooting addition.
Finally, Paul is expected to be bought out after he was included in a trade from the Clippers to the Raptors. While even if the Lakers could pick him up, the chance of him being an impactful player for them is unlikely, as he would probably morph into an assistant coach type, rather than a backup or even reserve point guard.
While the 2026 buyout market could be intriguing, there are a few two-way players the Lakers could sign to a full-time deal. Nick Smith Jr., Chris Manon, and Drew Timme are their current two-way players, and according to insider Brett Siegel, the latter is expected to be the one to get a contract.
“Lakers may still make another small move to open up a roster spot. They like Drew Timme a lot.”
It might require the Lakers to cut ties with someone else on their roster, but in limited time with the franchise this year, Timme has received rave reviews.
Lakers Giannis Trade Rumors
The Lakers were not one of the teams mentioned by Shams Charania as in the hunt to land Giannis Antetokounmpo in a trade before the deadline. Though he was never moved, Los Angeles didn’t have a strong enough package to offer for the superstar compared to the other teams in the race.
However, they should not be ruled out from making a push for the two-time MVP over the summer. The Lakers have a knack for landing superstar talent, and according to multiple sources, they are expected to target the Greek Freak over the offseason, when they have more cap flexibility and first-round picks available to be moved.
According to Jacob Rude, Los Angeles could offer a newly-signed Reaves, along with three first-rounders and a few other assets for Antetokounmpo over the summer.
“One major appeal in the Lakers’ package will be the cap relief they can offer Milwaukee,” Rude wrote. “Does that mean Austin Reaves will be involved in a potential sign-and-trade? He’s certainly the best player the Bucks could get back, but it requires the Lakers to be willing to trade him and for Reaves to want to go to Milwaukee. With him, the Lakers would have the best trade package. Without him, it becomes much more of a debate.”
Though he didn’t get moved at the deadline, the Lakers are a team to watch as the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes continue into the offseason. Per Jake Fischer, they are prioritizing cap space to add players who fit around Doncic, and with James likely leaving this summer, that could open the door on a trade for the 2021 Finals MVP.
Lakers Next Move Revealed After Luke Kennard Trade Deadline Deal