Los Angeles Lakers: 4 early in-season buyout candidates

By Jason Reed | Sep 4, 2021

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(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Gary Harris

Gary Harris was included in the trade that landed Aaron Gordon in Denver. While Harris is a talented player, he was in the deal for salary reasons and he is set to make $21 million this upcoming season.

While he is not yet at the point of his career where he is only going to get minimum offers, it is hard to see a team putting the contracts and assets together to trade for Harris. Orlando is going to have a hard time moving him, making it more likely that he gets bought out.

There really is no reason for Harris to play the entire season in Orlando. Orlando is in a rebuilding phase and Harris does not move the needle at all. He can provide depth in the first half of the season and the Magic can save some money by allowing him to sign on with a contender to end the season.

The 26-year-old guard would add shooting guard depth to the Lakers, which might be needed if Wayne Ellington and Kent Bazemore disappoint (both are possible). Harris does not do anything great, but he does have the potential to get hot and knock down shots from beyond the arc, even if he is only a 35.9% career three-point shooter.

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