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3 Lakers who are playing for their NBA jobs in the last month

By Jason Reed

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 28: Kent Bazemore #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers attempts a shot against Terry Rozier #3 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of the game at Spectrum Center on January 28, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 28: Kent Bazemore #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers attempts a shot against Terry Rozier #3 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of the game at Spectrum Center on January 28, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /

3. Kent Bazemore

Kent Bazemore is not as old as Dwight Howard or Trevor Ariza so it may seem unlikely that his career would end after this season. Bazemore is going to be 33 next season and there are plenty of rotational minimum guys like Bazemore who hold on for another year or two.

I am not doubting if Bazemore is playing professional basketball next season, I am just not sure if it will be in the NBA. Bazemore has been one of the worst role players in the league this season and as a buyout guy he might be fine, but it is hard to see a team committing a roster spot to him next season.

A non-contending team has no reason to sign him to a minimum contract and he does not have much to offer to a contending team. Perhaps he signs a deal in the offseason that is non-guaranteed, but it would shock me if he was on a roster next season if he doesn’t turn it around.

Bazemore is averaging just 14.4 minutes per game while most of that average is being weighted by the beginning of the season. Since the turn of the calendar year, Bazemore has appeared in just 13 games and is averaging 8.1 minutes per game.

His defense has actually turned a slight corner in recent weeks statistically but a lot of that is because he is only playing garbage time. He is still incredibly inefficient offensively, checking in with a -4.1 OBPM this season. Bazemore ranks 339/345 in OBPM among players with 500 minutes played this season.

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Bazemore simply has not been good enough to convince a contending team to sign him in the summer.

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