It’s time for the Lakers to boot Damian Jones for this South Bay standout
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers have rallied back from a disastrous start to the 2022-23 season to put together a more respectable 8-12 record. There is still a lot of work to be done and if the Lakers are going to reach their ceiling, they are going to have to improve the roster.
The latest trade rumors indicate that the front office is determined to do so perhaps without trading Russell Westbrook. There are quite a few non-Westbrook trades that the team could make that may change the trajectory of the season.
It’s not just about trades, though, it’s about maximizing the talent you have in-house. That it why it was so surprising to see the team waive Matt Ryan, who was one of their best three-point shooters. Meanwhile, you have someone like Damian Jones who has been awful and is wasting a roster spot.
Ryan was waived over Jones because he had a non-guaranteed contract, which is not the case for the center. However, that does not change the fact that Jones should not be on this roster, especially when there is an in-house alternative that would undoubtedly be better for Los Angeles.
Huff with 25/12/2 and 4 blocks on a 89.29 TS%, came into tonight’s game averaging 17/9/3 and 4.4 blocks a game on a 70.1 TS%. Get Jones off the team in favor of him. https://t.co/qeSj09RdlZ
— Ben Rosales (@brosales12) December 2, 2022
The Lakers should call up Jay Huff to replace Damian Jones.
Damian Jones is literally offering nothing to this team so it makes all the sense in the world to bet on the player that has been in your developmental system for years in Huff. Give him an extended run in the rotation and see what he really has to offer in the NBA.
If it does not work out and Huff cannot make a difference despite dominating in the G League then you move on. It is not like the Lakers would be losing anything if Huff doesn’t work out as he is replacing someone who has no impact.
Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is that the Lakers are a multi-billion dollar sports franchise that loves acting like they are based in Kansas City or Baltimore. They don’t want to let Jones go because they would have to work out some sort of buyout.
Los Angeles would have to account for the rest of his massive $2.298 million salary this year as well as his player option next year, which is worth the same amount. This team definitely does not want to pay that much to someone to let them play elsewhere.
So even though it is the better basketball decision and that kind of money is a rounding error to these franchises, I would not expect the team to take this route. It goes against how they have operated in recent years.
That being said, there is one potential way that the team can get Jones off the team and promote Huff. Los Angeles could try and package Jones as part of a bigger trade t get him off the roster and free up a roster spot to give Huff a chance.