Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors involve recently bought out Dion Waiters, as he and the team are expected to talk in the near future about a potential deal.
Los Angeles Lakers rumors have not slowed down despite the NBA Trade Deadline coming and going. While the Lakers didn’t complete a trade before the deadline, they were expected to be players in the buyout market, where the latest Lakers rumors bring us.
The Charlotte Hornets got buyout free agency started with a bang, agreeing to part ways with Marvin Williams and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
Williams wasted little time finding a new home, as he is heading to the Milwaukee Bucks. Kidd-Gilchrist has been linked to the Dallas Mavericks, but a decision has not yet been made.
Both players would have been solid fits for the Lakers. Williams is a solid 3-point shooter from the power forward spot that could play some small-ball center in a pinch. Kidd-Gilchrist, while limited offensively, would have fit the need for a wing defender magnificently.
The player the Lakers were linked to the most was Darren Collison. Yes, that Darren Collison who is currently retired. Unfortunately, Collinson will remain retired, as he is not yet ready to return to the league.
With those three now seemingly off the board, the Lakers will have to look elsewhere. Reggie Jackson would fit the bill as a ball-handler off the bench, but if he is bought out, the LA Clippers are expected to be where he lands.
However, there is another recent buyout candidate that could help the Lakers second unit. That player is Dion Waiter.
Waiters was involved in the Miami Heat’s acquisition of Andre Iguodala. The Lakers had held out hope the Grizzlies would buyout Iguodala, but they found a deal with the Heat for them, acquiring Justise Winslow.
Memphis didn’t wait long to release him, and now the Lakers are expected to come calling, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Update in story via @WindhorstESPN and me: Lakers expected to have exploratory conversation with Dion Waiters in near future. https://t.co/V1bBRirHX3
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 10, 2020
Waiters has only played in only three games this season as he could not get on the same page with the Heat. A lot of that was self-inflicted, but there is no debating the talent that Waiters has.
He is a capable scorer, averaging 13.2 points per game in his career. During his time with the Heat, he developed a decent 3-point stroke, knocking down 36.8 percent of his shots from distance compared to 32.8 percent with the Cleveland Cavaliers and 34.3 with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
More from Lake Show Life
- Darvin Ham adds to Max Christie hype train after Lakers preseason opener
- Is LeBron James playing tonight? Latest Lakers vs Warriors update
- Can Darvin Ham put all of the Lakers puzzle pieces together?
- Lakers news: Darvin Ham knows his fifth starter, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino praise
- Michael Malone’s painfully ironic comment has Lakers fans heated
Waiters is also a capable playmaker. While not naturally a point guard, he averages 2.8 assists per game in his career, a number which rose to 3.6 per game with the Heat. His two highest assist seasons in his career came with the Heat.
Right now, it sounds as if things for the Lakers will come down to Waiters and free agent, J.R. Smith. Smith is scheduled to have a workout with the team soon.
Whoever the Lakers decide to sign will require another move to occur. They are currently at the max 15 players allowed on a roster, so if they sign Waiters or Smith, someone will have to subsequently be released.
Who will that be? It is anyone’s guess at this time. Given the uncertainty of his recovery from injury, DeMarcus Cousins is a candidate. As is Troy Daniels, as he is one of the three other Lakers, along with Dwight Howard and Jared Dudley, who are on one-year deals.
Howard isn’t going anywhere and given his veteran status, Dudley is likely safe as well.
We will have to wait and see who the Lakers ultimately decide to move on from if they want to sign another veteran. Regardless of who it is, it will be a difficult decision for Rob Pelinka and company to make.