Lakers can reunite with key player from 2020 title team on buyout market
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers were the most active team in the NBA at the trade deadline, making four moves that were met with much praise from fans and analysts alike. Fans were begging the Lakers to do something aggressive and that is exactly what the team did at the deadline.
The work is not done for Los Angeles, though. As it stands right now, the Lakers have 14 players signed to the roster, leaving room for one potential signing. The buyout market is the next phase of NBA transactions as several notable players will hit free agency, free to sign with any team at a cheap price.
Buyout signings are not the biggest moves in the world but they can make a huge difference. For example, the Lakers signed Markieff Morris after he was bought out in 2020. He went on to post the third-highest three-point percentage in a single playoff run in franchise history.
Rob Pelinka could now potentially dip back into that title team to sign a key role player that is a prime buyout candidate: Danny Green.
Breaking: The Rockets are acquiring John Wall as part of a three-team deal. The Clippers are sending Luke Kennard to the Grizzlies, and the Clippers are getting Eric Gordon, Danny Green and three second-round picks, sources told @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/5AI9wYZahi
— ESPN (@espn) February 9, 2023
Lakers should consider signing Danny Green if he is bought out.
After playing just three games for the Memphis Grizzlies upon his return from an ACL injury, Green was traded to a Houston Rockets team that really has no use for him. John Wall is already confirmed to be released by Houston and Green could be right around the corner.
Green may have struggled in the Orlando bubble in 2020 and he might not be the same role player that he was in Los Angeles. That being said, he is still a valuable veteran presence (for a Lakers team that is now young) that fits a fundamental need.
At his best, Green can still be a solid three-and-D role player off the bench. If he is hitting his shots then he is going to get ample playing time for a team that still is not littered in three-point shooting.
Outside of LeBron James, the Lakers also don’t have a true small forward on the roster. The team has plenty of guards and they have power forwards in Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt that they did not have before. They could really use a traditional three to play on the wing, especially one that can shoot the basketball.
Teams are not shopping for Lamborghinis on the buyout market, they are shopping for used Toyotas (shoutout to my fellow Corolla drivers). Green may not be a very exciting signing, but in the landscape of this potential buyout market, he might just be the best.