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Lakers have a G League player that would be better than any buyout

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 21: Mason Jones #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on December 21, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images )
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 21: Mason Jones #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on December 21, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images ) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers did not make a trade during the NBA trade deadline and have shifted the focus towards the buyout market. If the team is going to make any improvements this season it is going to be with players whose current teams no longer want them.

There are some decent buyout options for the Lakers to pursue that could actually help raise the floor of this team. However, it appears as if the Lakers are getting to caught up in external solutions when the best solution might come from within.

We have seen the Lakers promote players time and time again and it be successful. The team should now continue its own trend and promote the best player from the South Bay Lakers: Mason Jones.

Mason Jones would be a better addition than any buyout signing the Lakers could make.

For those who may not know, Jones is a six-four two-guard who is tearing it up in the G League this season. Jones has some of the best numbers in the entire G League and is going to be in the running for the G League MVP.

Mason is averaging 26.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game while shooting 49.7% from the field and 34.5% from beyond the arc. Obviously, the numbers would not be as good in the NBA but the fact that he is dominating the G League shows that he is ready to be in the NBA rotation.

As seen in the above video, Jones has a smooth stroke from anywhere on the court and would be a great off-ball scorer for the Los Angeles Lakers, but more importantly, could be someone who the team brings in off the bench to create his own shot.

Jones is a solid defensive player as well. He is averaging 1.5 steals per game with a 110 defensive rating for the South Bay Lakers. While he is by no means an Alex Caruso-level defender, he is definitely not as bad as some of the defensive liabilities that the Lakers have on the roster today.

Jones was elevated to play two games for the Lakers this season and did not really do much, playing just a total of nine minutes. It is time that he gets his fair shake with the parent club, and quite frankly, there really is no downside to giving a young player like Jones the chance to play in the rotation.

He would serve a much bigger purpose than Kent Bazemore, who is no longer even in the Lakers’ rotation. If I were Rob Pelinka, I would be waiving Bazemore and promoting Jones to a standard NBA contract to get his feet wet in the league for the rest of this season to be a role player next season.

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That is another important part of the equation. The Lakers are not going to be able to add much in free agency because of Russell Westbrook’s contract, so getting Jones the experience now to help his progression next season is key.

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