With the NBA trade deadline officially wrapped up, it is time to shift the focus to the buyout market. The Los Angeles Lakers, who have still have an open roster, should be an active team in trying to shore up the rest of the roster before the NBA Playoffs.
There is already one name reported to be available that would help them build on what they did today. The Lakers have been searching for help on the wings. Trading for Luke Kennard was a good start for Los Angeles to address the positional need. Adding Haywood Highsmith should be the next step.
Michael Scotto reported Highsmith was waived by the Brooklyn Nets today. The former Miami Heat forward has been working his way back from injury for quite some time. The good news, for the Lakers, is they wouldn't have to wait long for him to finally return. The NBA insider added the recently-released wing was just around the corner from being ready for NBA action.
Scotto wrote, "Haywood Highsmith is drawing interest from several playoff teams. Highsmith’s healthy, is playing 5-on-5, and was set to make his season debut February 11th following meniscus surgery, agent Jerry Dianis told [HoopsHype]."
Haywood Highsmith is an obvious fit for this year's Lakers team
Assuming Highsmith resembles the player he was before his injury, that would be an easy plug and play for the Lakers this season. There are certainly more inspiring 3-and-D options in the NBA, but the former Heat forward is far from the worst.
In 2024-25, Highsmith averaged 6.5 points per game on 45.8 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from beyond the arc. That came with reliable defensive play on the other end.
The Lakers should be far more interested in the latter, while Luka Doncic should be capable of bringing out the best in the former. Highsmith has never been particularly capable at creating his own offense, to any capacity. With Doncic, he wouldn't have to.
Highsmith could park himself on the perimeter and wait for the Lakers superstar to kick it out to him. Maintaining the clip he was hitting with the Heat during his last season in Miami would be more than enough for Los Angeles to feature him in the rotation.
Realistically, any player added via the buyout market should come with tempered expectations. They're available at this time of the year for a reason (see Alex Len from last season). However, this would be one to feel some cautious optimism about having upside.