1. Alfonzo McKinnie
Alfonzo McKinnie’s role on the Los Angeles Lakers was never going to be anything significant. In fact, we were not even sure if McKinnie was going to be a member of the Los Angeles Lakers when they traded for him in the offseason.
McKinnie was traded alongside Jordan Bell from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for JaVale McGee. Both McKinnie and Bell had non-guaranteed contracts and the trade was meant to free up cap space to sign Marc Gasol.
Bell was waived but McKinnie stuck around. It is unclear if that was the Lakers’ initial plan or if McKinnie’s spot was simply saved because the Lakers were unable to bring in another big man. Regardless, he is currently on the roster.
You might not realize it, though. McKinnie has appeared in 12 games this season for a grand total of 38 minutes. He has been reserved for blowout minutes and it is clear that the Lakers are not buying in on any sort of three and D potential that Laker fans thought he had.
McKinnie is the favorite to be waived if the Lakers sign a buyout player. However, if the Lakers do see something in him, there are other options.