Unlike last year, the Los Angeles Lakers did not ship any players out at the NBA trade deadline. Barring another buyout signing to join Spencer Dinwiddie, everyone who started the season with the Lakers will finish the season in LA.
While the collective team goal is to win a championship, there are individual motives for each player on the roster. For some it is legacy-based, for others, it is strictly monetary. The NBA is a business and it is the responsbility of each NBA player to establish their worth.
With that mindset it mind, it is important to take note of the Lakers who are already playing for their next contract, as it could impact the overall team dynamic. Let's dive into those players.
Taurean Prince
Taurean Prince was waived by the Minnesota Timberwolves to make more roster room and at the time it was a bewildering move. Prince was a productive role player and the Lakers benefitted by signing him to the Bi-Annual Exception.
However, as time has gone on it is not hard to see why the Timberwolves made this move. Minnesota has been thriving this season while Prince has struggled despite getting a lot of playing time from Darvin Ham. Prince is not the reason for Minnesota's success, or Los Angeles' struggles, but the Lakers have been on the losing end of this transaction.
Whatever his role is for the rest of the year, Prince is going to look to earn a contract that is more than the BAE. He is an unrestricted free agent and at 30 years old in March, there are not many other opportunities for Prince to get paid.