The Los Angeles Lakers have exhausted pretty close to all of their options for positioning themselves as a contender in the 2024-25 NBA season. There is one final thing that Rob Pelinka and the front office need to figure out before finalizing the group that will represent them for the rest of the year.
Lakers insider Jovan Buha pointed out an important fact on a recent episode of Buha's Block after the acquisition of Alex Len. Los Angeles is only allowed to waive one more player from the roster this season after releasing Christian Wood to make room for Len.
If or when the Lakers decide there is one last long-term addition (with relation to this season) worth making room for, that will be the last major shakeup to the roster in 2024-25.
Who gets waived and who gets that roster spot?
In that same episode of Buha's Block, it was pointed out that the decision of which players gets waived comes down to Shake Milton and Cam Reddish. By Buha's estimation, Reddish is the more likely of the two to go.
So what would the Lakers do with that roster spot?
Buha suggested if Chris Boucher, Kelly Olynyk, or Larry Nance Jr. were added to the players available on the NBA buyout market, the Lakers should pounce. However, there are multiple reasons as to why all three of those names are unlikely to be legitimate options for Los Angeles.
The more realistic path to shaking up the roster would be converting one of the contracts from Christian Koloko, Trey Jemsion, or Jordan Goodwin.
One of those three has certainly made a strong impression in a small sample size for the Lakers. In the two games played so far, Goodwin has looked like someone who is ready for a guaranteed deal.
The 26-year-old guard has averaged 13.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steal, while shooting 66.7 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from beyond the arc in his appearances off the bench for the Lakers.
Two good appearances are obviously going to skew the numbers a bit for Goodwin. Los Angeles would be smart to get an extended look before committing to him for the rest of the season. However, the determination to carve a spot out for himself is certainly there. Plus, Goodwin's wingspan (6-foot-10) allows for some defensive upside with a Lakers team that could use feisty defenders to make up for their lack of size.
Pelinka and company will likely take their time with this decision and not rush anything. This potential move will not make or break their season, but it is an important one.
feed