4 players the Los Angeles Lakers should hope get bought out
By Jason Reed
Trevor Ariza
Quiz time! What team does Trevor Ariza currently play for?
I do not blame you if you do not know the answer… it is the Oklahoma City Thunder? Ariza was part of three different trades in the offseason and has not played a single minute with the Oklahoma City Thunder this season, instead tending to family matters.
Ariza has buy out written all over him and I would be shocked if the Thunder do not go forward with a buyout. It would be shocking if a team traded for Ariza’s $12.5 million salary with him not even playing this season and not stepping foot on an NBA court since March of last year.
The Lakers have reportedly already shown interest in Ariza if he is bought out by the Thunder and he would be a welcomed addition to the team. He is someone who could provide the team with regular-season depth and be an important wing player off the bench in the playoffs if he plays up to code.
It is not a pressing need for the Lakers but having that extra wing defender and former champion could come up big in a playoff series. Those that follow my work know I am not the biggest Kyle Kuzma fan and it would be nice to have that defensive contingency plan in place.
Ariza was good the last time we saw him. He shot 37.2% from beyond the arc in 53 games last season with a positive Defensive Box Plus/Minus.