After not making any moves at the 2022 NBA Trade Deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers will look to the buyout market to improve the roster that has produced a 26-31 record as the All-Star break approaches.

That plan elicited this reaction from Richard Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins live on ESPN:

This route may not be what LeBron James nor Anthony Davis wanted, but it's the bed they made when they strongly encouraged the front office to cash in their depth and tradable resources for Russell Westbrook, causing an imbalance on the roster, and on the cap sheet.

What remains more befuddling about the Lakers deadline inactivity was the choice(?) not to offload a non-rotation veteran on a minimum contract — DeAndre Jordan, Kent Bazemore, Wayne Ellington, Dwight Howard — to clear a roster spot for a buyout pickup. The organization that sweats the luxury tax will now be forced to eat extra costs to waive a player outright.

The Lakers have had mixed success with buyouts in recent seasons. In 2020, Markieff Morris played a pivotal role in the title chase. In 2021, Andre Drummond was a bust and his presence caused chemistry issues. Ben McLemore was largely a non-factor. This season, Stanley Johnson (not a buyout but a midseason signing) has been a home run.

Prior to the deadline, I posited three positions of need for the Lakers:

  1. A large, athletic, defense-first wing; ideally a capable three-point shooter. In other words: Younger Trevor Ariza (who has been better recently, but check what Jonathan Kuminga did to the Lakers). Los Angeles simply needs more forwards.
  2. A more reliable backup 5 who allows the Lakers to maintain smallish-ball but not completely down-size (to either LeBron, Carmelo Anthony, or Johnson) when Davis rests.
  3. Another playmaker/lead ball-handler. They traded Rajon Rondo and have yet to see Kendrick Nunn.

Beyond not having a free roster spot at the moment, the Lakers can't sell a buyout on guaranteed championship contention. And, because the Lakers are well over the cap and used their mid-level exception, they likely can't offer as much money as rival teams. (DeAndre Bembry was scooped up by the Milwaukee Bucks.)

They can sell a free agent on the chance to play alongside multiple Hall of Famers, improve his free agency value playing next to LeBron, and the opportunity to spend some quality time in Southern California.

For a buyout addition to be eligible for the playoffs, he must be waived by his current team before March 2.

With that context in mind, here are realistic targets for the Lakers and some other names sprinkled in.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2cAwXlGAL4mGIhLUOXuBmB?si=b3a1a3a911d24c55

Lakers Buyout Candidates

5) Dennis Schröder

Schröder is a name to watch, if for no other reason than this front office tends to bring back ex-Lakers. Schröder left a sour taste in Los Angeles after turning down an extension, contracting COVID-19 (while unvaccinated) for the second time of the 2020-21 season down the stretch, then no-showing in the playoffs. He never developed pick-and-roll chemistry with Davis, nor blossomed into the third scorer the Lakers hoped.

That said, he can be a defensive menace, and would mark an upgrade over Avery Bradley in that department (despite Bradley's reputation). If the Lakers stars and Frank Vogel sign off on his return — and the team is pessimistic about Nunn's outlook — bringing back Schröder at a cheaper price and smaller role is logical.

The Lakers reportedly offered multiple second-round picks for Schroder at the deadline, so they evidently have their eye on him. Word is that he won't be bought out, but that could change.

4) Tristan Thompson

I don't personally endorse this idea, FWIW. Thompson's most recent stint on a team with aspirations of winning, the Boston Celtics, went disastrously, in part due to his constant breaching of protocols.

He was out of the Sacramento Kings rotation before being traded. He doesn't provide any floor spacing.

But, considering his Klutch connection and his close friendship and experience with LeBron, it's not surprising the Lakers have already been linked to Thompson, who is somehow only 30 (sourcing in the clip below). The Indiana Pacers have three other centers and are expected to buy him out.

If the Lakers are going to sign a big, I'd prefer Juancho Hernangomez, Gorgui Dieng, or Paul Millsap due to their stretch potential. Or Robin Lopez, because he's awesome.

3) Enes Freedom.

Just kidding.

2) Gary Harris

Harris, 27, is averaging 11.5 points on 38% three-point shooting this season. At 6'4, he's not quite the rangy forward the Lakers need, but his perimeter defense and his two-way game would be instantly valuable. He would hopefully dissuade Vogel from playing Bradley 30+ minutes a night.

Another name to watch here is Eric Bledsoe — a Klutch client. Bledsoe has $3.9 million partially guaranteed for next season, so the Portland Trail Blazers may want to explore an offseason trade or keep him around.

Tomas Satoransky, a 6'7, 36% three-point shooter, is a feasible option, too.

1) Goran Dragic

The best player available. The talent, playoff experience, and locker room leadership alone are appealing. Dragic, who averaged 13.4 PPG off the bench for the Miami Heat in 2020-21, could slide in as a dynamo Sixth Man.

Does he make the Lakers a championship contender? No. But Dragic is the one player on the buyout market who can win you a playoff game.

If the 35-year old truly wants to ring-chase, though, why would he choose the Lakers?