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Lakers buyout candidates: 5 best possible options to bolster roster

By Jason Reed

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - DECEMBER 22: Will Barton #5 of the Washington Wizards shoots over Nickeil Alexander-Walker #6 of the Utah Jazz during the first half of a game at Vivint Arena on December 22, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - DECEMBER 22: Will Barton #5 of the Washington Wizards shoots over Nickeil Alexander-Walker #6 of the Utah Jazz during the first half of a game at Vivint Arena on December 22, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Bryn Forbes, who is one of the players elaborated upon in this article, was arrested on Wednesday after this article was published for allegedly assaulting a woman. He should no longer be considered a buyout option for the Lakers due to the serious nature of the allegations.

The Los Angeles Lakers made a flurry of trades at the NBA trade deadline that not only improved the roster talent-wise but made the roster younger in the process. With more clarity for this summer as well, it was a home run for Rob Pelinka and co.

With 14 players on the roster and one roster spot left to spare, Pelinka still has some work to be done. The cherry on top is the buyout market, where the Lakers could potentially add an impact player that could find themselves having a big role in a playoff rotation.

There is a decently long list of potential candidates that the Lakers could pursue. Some stick out more than others.

Here are the 5 best possible Los Angeles Lakers buyout candidates.

(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

5. Kevin Love, PF

Kevin Love is not the best fit logistically but since he is arguably the biggest name on the buyout market and he has ties to LeBron James he has to at least be mentioned. Those things get him onto this list but there are better options on the market for the Lakers.

The team’s frontcourt is just a bit crowded at the moment and it is hard to see a path for Love to actually get minutes. Granted, a buyout signing is not going to play big minutes for Los Angeles anyway, but Love may not have a role at all.

Love would add a nice shooting and rebounding dynamic but once Mo Bamba is back in action they are going to have that dynamic covered in the frontcourt. If Love was a viable candidate to play the three it would be different but he simply isn’t.

If all else fails it would be better to bring Love in rather than simply not signing anyone on the buyout market. But don’t expect Love to be high on LA’s list of potential buyout candidates as the season moves along.

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