Los Angeles Lakers pass or pursue on buyout targets: 3. Otto Porter Jr.
Anyone that follows my work here at Lake Show Life (first, thank you!) knows that I am a huge fan of Otto Porter Jr. Porter was traded to the Orlando Magic in the Nikola Vucevic deal and would be such a perfect buyout signing for the Lakers.
Porter is one of those players that became underrated because he signed a bad contract. While he is not worth the $100 million contract he signed, he would be a fantastic role player on the Lakers and would get ample playing time as a result.
The problem is that the longer he stays with the Orlando Magic the less likely it is that he gets bought out. On paper, it makes sense for the Magic to save money and do Porter a favor and buy him out. However, if the team has any desire of keeping him past this season then they will keep him on the roster.
At the time of writing this, he has played three games with the Magic. The ship has not sailed, but the window of opportunity is closing.
Porter is a prototypical three and D player that would provide above-average, but not great, defense as well as a fantastic off-ball scoring presence next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Porter is someone who could really heat up and go on a crazy run in the playoffs while also being a consistent scorer overall.
Porter has shot 40.2% from beyond the arc in his career. He ranks 29th all-time (and ninth among active players) in three-point percentage with at least 1,400 three-point attempts.
Talk about adding some firepower to the offense while also adding someone who is going to contribute defensively as well.
Verdict: Pursue