Los Angeles Lakers: 5 potential buyout targets after NBA trade deadline

By Jason Reed | Feb 11, 2022

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 19: Dennis Schroder #71 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against Avery Bradley #20 of the Los Angeles Lakers at TD Garden on November 19, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Eric Bledsoe

Eric Bledsoe was traded before the wave of NBA trade deadline deals as he was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of the Robert Covington trade. More so than any other piece in that deal, Bledsoe was likely just included so the salaries would match with Covington and Norman Powell.

It is clear that the Blazers are tanking the rest of the season as they look to open cap space and get a good draft pick to rebuild around Damian Lillard this offseason. There is little to no reason for the Blazers to keep Bledsoe on the roster and if they can save some money (and do the agent a favor) then they absolutely should.

Bledsoe is on an $18.1 million salary this season and the Blazers would also have to pay out his partially guaranteed salary of $3.9 million next season. That is a small number and the team is going to have to pay it anyways with Blesdoe staying on the roster after the deadline.

Bledsoe has been missing time with an Achilles injury that he seemed to suffer as soon as he was traded to Portland. The writing is on the wall for Bledsoe to be bought out and the Lakers could be in the market for his services.

While his three-point shooting has not been great, he is an above-average perimeter defender who would give the team a much-needed defensive boost in the backcourt.

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