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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 players who should be cut first for buyout signings

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 03: Kent Bazemore #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during a time out with Russell Westbrook #0 during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 03, 2022 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 - FEBRUARY 03: Kent Bazemore #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during a time out with Russell Westbrook #0 during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 03, 2022 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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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

The Los Angeles Lakers were unable to get a trade done at the NBA trade deadline and now the focus of the team is going to shift to the buyout market. There are several early candidates for the Lakers (including Dennis Schroder and Goran Dragic) that could give the team some kind of shot in the arm as they try to make the playoffs.

One thing the Lakers also were not able to do was trade players away to open up roster spots for these buyout players. Now, if the Lakers want to make a signing, they are going to have to release someone to make room.

This is important for the Lakers because the team is way over the luxury-tax threshold. The Lakers still have to pay the salaries of whoever they release on top of the salary that they pay the new signing. That hits the luxury tax twice, making the Lakers pay more useless money.

Which Los Angeles Lakers players will be the first to leave?

The Lakers will likely bring in one, maybe two buyout signings. If the team was really smart and was not pinching pennies then they would bring in three guys, including a talented wing that the Brooklyn Nets just released.

That means that we have to pinpoint three candidates to be released to make room on the roster. That is exactly what we did, and we present them to you in order of likelihood.

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