LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 25: DeAndre’ Bembry #95 of the Brooklyn Nets guards LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at Crypto.com Arena on December 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California, 3 potential post trade deadline buyout targets for the Los Angeles Lakers. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
With a 26-31 record on the year, the Los Angeles Lakers currently occupy the ninth spot in the Western Conference standings and look like a team trending downward. Given their lackluster record, many did not agree with the LA’s decision to stand pat at the NBA trade deadline when it was clear that they needed to make changes.
Sure, offloading Russell Westbrook’s hefty contract seemed virtually impossible, and LA’s offer of Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, and a first-round pick that is five years away was never going to attract teams.
Still, it would have been interesting to see them at least do something in an attempt to fix their handful of roster issues. Perhaps they still could in the buyout market, where a number of household names are rumored to potentially be available in the coming weeks.
With that said, let us look at three targets that should be on the Los Angeles Lakers’ buyout radar.
3 potential buyout targets for the Los Angeles Lakers: DeAndre’ Bembry
The Lakers underwent some roster retooling this past offseason, which included letting go three strong defenders in Alex Caruso, Markieff Morris, and Wesley Matthews.
As a result, the defense has not looked particularly good this season, and Los Angeles should be on the hunt for players that can help them on that side of the ball. In that case, one player that should be on their radar is DeAndre’ Bembry.
It was surprising to see the Brooklyn Nets waive Bembry in the aftermath of their huge trade deadline deal for Ben Simmons, especially given how well he played for them this season.
Regardless, it should not take long for Bembry to find a new home, as the two-way forward could help several teams, including the Lakers, who should be looking to shore up their wing depth before the postseason.
Although adding a piece such as Bembry will not cure LA’s defensive issues, it could help. Standing at 6-5, Bembry is a versatile player that can defend multiple positions, something that could work wonders for this team.
When top-tier wings like Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, and Jayson Tatum come to town, Bembry could take on the assignment of guarding that particular player. Offensively, the 27-year-old would not be a needle-tipper (5.8 points per game this season), but he is more than capable of hitting open shots on the perimeter.
Largely due to his defensive presence, the Lakers should target the forward to bulk up their wing rotation. They will not be alone in the hunt, but they should make a persistent effort to bring him aboard as they look to stay alive in the standings out West.
Los Angeles </a>Lakers currently occupy the ninth spot in the Western Conference standings and look like a team trending downward. Given their lackluster record, many did not agree with the LA’s decision to stand pat at the NBA trade deadline when it was clear that they needed to make changes.</p>
<p>Sure, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/14/buyout-targets-los-angeles-lakers/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/11/nba-rumors-lakers-russell-westbrook-john-wall/" rel="">offloading Russell Westbrook’s hefty contract</a> seemed virtually impossible, and LA’s offer of Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, and a first-round pick that is five years away was never going to attract teams.</p>
<p>Still, it would have been interesting to see them at least do something in an attempt to fix their handful of roster issues. Perhaps they still could in the buyout market, where a number of household names are rumored to potentially be available in the coming weeks.</p>
<p>With that said, let us look at three targets that should be on the Los Angeles Lakers’ buyout radar.</p>
<h2>3 potential buyout targets for the Los Angeles Lakers: DeAndre’ Bembry</h2>
<p>The Lakers underwent some roster retooling this past offseason, which included letting go three strong defenders in Alex Caruso, Markieff Morris, and Wesley Matthews.</p>
<p>As a result, the defense has not looked particularly good this season, and Los Angeles should be on the hunt for players that can help them on that side of the ball. In that case, one player that should be on their radar is DeAndre’ Bembry.</p>
<p>It was surprising to see the Brooklyn Nets waive Bembry in the aftermath of their huge trade deadline deal for Ben Simmons, especially given how well he played for them this season.</p>
<p>Regardless, it should not take long for Bembry to find a new home, as the two-way forward could help several teams, including the Lakers, who should be looking to shore up their wing depth before the postseason.</p>
<p>Although adding a piece such as Bembry will not cure LA’s defensive issues, it could help. Standing at 6-5, Bembry is a versatile player that can defend multiple positions, something that could work wonders for this team.</p>
<p>When top-tier wings like Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, and Jayson Tatum come to town, Bembry could take on the assignment of guarding that particular player. Offensively, the 27-year-old would not be a needle-tipper (5.8 points per game this season), but he is more than capable of hitting open shots on the perimeter.</p>
<p>Largely due to his defensive presence, the Lakers should target the forward to bulk up their wing rotation. They will not be alone in the hunt, but they should make a persistent effort to bring him aboard as they look to stay alive in the standings out West.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/14/buyout-targets-los-angeles-lakers/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 2 </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives the ball against Goran Dragic #7 of the Miami Heat during the third quarter in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, 3 potential buyout targets for the Los Angeles Lakers. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3 potential buyout targets for the Los Angeles Lakers: Goran Dragić</h2>
<p>With Kendrick Nunn missing the entire regular season to this point with a bone bruise, the Lakers have lacked a true backup point guard. One way to solve this problem would be to target a former teammate of Nunn’s in Goran Dragić.</p>
<p>Dragić was traded to the San Antonio Spurs on the day of the deadline, and all signs point to him being bought out sooner rather than later. The Dallas Mavericks have looked like the frontrunner to sign him due to his close friendship with Luka Dončić.</p>
<p>However, ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported Saturday that the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/14/buyout-targets-los-angeles-lakers/"https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33276938/san-antonio-spurs-expected-buy-veteran-goran-dragic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lakers are among a slew of teams expected to make a run at the former Most Improved Player</a>.</p>
<p>Over the past two seasons with the Miami Heat prior to this year, Dragić provided a sizeable spark off the bench by averaging 14.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.</p>
<p>Numbers like that could help the Lakers tremendously right now amidst their season-long struggles at the position, as the former All-Star would bring solid scoring, shooting, and facilitating.</p>
<p>Dragić would certainly not overtake Westbrook at the point guard rotation, but he would be a more natural fit in lineups alongside LA’s top stars in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. LA head coach Frank Vogel has repeatedly benched Westbrook late in games this season due to his erratic play, and having a piece like Dragić available could help make that an easier decision.</p>
<p>Although there are some questions about how the 35-year-old will play after appearing in just five games this season before being traded, the Los Angeles Lakers should be willing to take the risk.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/14/buyout-targets-los-angeles-lakers/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 3 </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 19: Dennis Schroder #71 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers at TD Garden on November 19, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts, 3 potential buyout targets for the Los Angeles Lakers. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3 potential buyout targets for the Los Angeles Lakers: Dennis Schröder</h2>
<p>Sticking with the point guard position, this next name will surely create some controversy, but it does make some sense. According to The Athletic’s Juvan Buha <strong>(subscription required)</strong>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/14/buyout-targets-los-angeles-lakers/"https://theathletic.com/3123915/2022/02/11/lakers-will-look-to-upgrade-underperforming-rotation-on-buyout-market/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LA could have an interest in bringing back Dennis Schröder</a> if he is bought out by the Houston Rockets.</p>
<p>Despite an ugly exit from the Lakers last offseason, bringing back the guard would be a feasible move for Los Angeles to bolster their struggling backcourt.</p>
<p>The former Sixth Man of the Year runner-up was having a quality season with the Boston Celtics before being dealt to Houston. He was averaging 14.4 points and 4.2 assists per game.</p>
<p>Just like Dragić, Schröder could be the perfect backup that this team needs to play behind Westbrook right now as they look for help in the backcourt. While his first stint was far from flawless, Schröder does have that prior experience playing alongside James, Davis, and several other Lakers players.</p>
<p>Despite his desire to receive a lucrative new contract following his lone season in Los Angeles, it is interesting to note that The Athletic’s Bill Oram <strong>(subscription required)</strong> reported that <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/14/buyout-targets-los-angeles-lakers/"https://theathletic.com/3119965/2022/02/09/inside-locker-room-lakers-players-see-and-feel-the-same-problems-as-everyone-else-and-also-want-change-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Schröder had some interest in returning to LA in free agency</a> to be Westbrook’s backup, but that LA was not as interested in the idea.</p>
<p>If Schröder is bought out, perhaps the Lakers will look to make amends by bringing him back to Los Angeles. He would not solve their issues, but the point guard would help the struggling Lakers.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Grading all 30 teams on their trade-deadline deals" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/12/nba-trade-deadline-grades/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/14/buyout-targets-los-angeles-lakers/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/12/nba-trade-deadline-grades/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Grading all 30 teams on their trade-deadline deals </a> </div>
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