After the trade deadline has come and gone, several teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks are now looking at the buyout market to make the necessary adjustments to their respective rosters. One man has stood out from the rubble and that's none other than former All-Star point guard Goran Dragic, who himself recently secured a buyout from the San Antonio Spurs after being traded from the Toronto Raptors.

There's no denying that Dragic is the most coveted name in the market right now and teams have been scrambling to secure his services. According to ESPN's NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Bucks are currently the frontrunners to land the 35-year-old guard. However, LeBron James and the Lakers, among other teams, aren't going to make it easy for the defending champs:

“[Goran Dragic] is spending this week talking with teams about where he might like to sign, and foremost on that list are the Milwaukee Bucks,” Woj said “… But the Bulls are competing for him. The Clippers, the Nets, the Lakers are trying to be involved in this.”

Woj went on to explain, though, that the Bucks currently have the best offer for Dragic in terms of the role he will be able to play with the team if he decides to join them:

“Dragic I think is closer to a decision but Milwaukee has been aggressive and they can offer him not just a chance at being part of the defending champions, but a chance to play a pretty significant role, and I think that's really been their sell to him.”

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
lebron james nikola jokic

Michael Corvo ·

Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura with the Lakers arena in the background, Gabe Vincent Nuggets NBA Playoffs

David Yapkowitz ·

Damian Lillard and Stephen A. Smith

Benedetto Vitale ·

Given their recent lack of success prior to the trade deadline, however, the Lakers are expected to be aggressive in their pursuit for Dragic. There is currently no shortage of manpower in LA's backcourt with Russell Westbrook, Avery Bradley, Malik Monk, and even rookie Austin Reaves all playing significant minutes for the Lakers. Kendrick Nunn is also still on the shelf but he should be back sooner rather than later.

If the Lakers are indeed able to bring Dragic into the mix, then it will be very interesting to see how coach Frank Vogel handles his backcourt rotation. In particular, this could potentially affect Westbrook's role in the team, especially considering how he hasn't exactly been in top form of late.