NBA Rumors: Kevin Love and buyout candidates for the Lakers

Ernesto Cova — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 08:48:50 -0500

The Los Angeles Lakers still have one roster spot available and plenty of options in the buyout market. Here, we'll discuss some of them.

Props to Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka for addressing the team’s needs during the NBA trade deadline. He surrounded LeBron James and Anthony Davis with shooters and didn’t have to give up that much.

Darvin Ham now has a much better roster in his hands. They’re versatile on defenseand have enough sharpshooting on offense to make up for their spacing issues. But they’re still not done making moves.

As things stand out, the Lakers still have one roster spot available and plenty of options in the buyout market. Here, we’ll discuss some of the few that could actually help them make a deep playoff run.

NBA Rumors: 3 Potential Buyout Candidates For The Lakers

3. Will Barton

Will Barton — Getty Images

Will Barton often gets overlooked, but he can ball. He can score from all three levels, is a streaky shooter, and has enough size and handling skills to play and defend multiple positions.

Barton wants to pursue a new direction, and he’s not a part of the Washington Wizards’ plans. He could give Darvin Ham another sharpshooting wing, as well as some size for their jumbo lineups.

2. Serge Ibaka

Serge Ibaka — Getty Images

While he’s no longer the lockdown rim protector he used to be, Serge Ibaka is a bonafide veteran in this league. His physicality, screen-setting, rebounding, and even new-found shooting could come in handy for this team.

With Thomas Bryant out, the Lakers are in need for another backup Center behind Mo Bamba. Ibaka has proven that he can give any team quality minutes as a rebounding, defensive-oriented big.

1. Kevin Love

Kevin Love — Getty Images

Kevin Love’s role with the Cleveland Cavaliers continues to dip. The team is looking to getyounger, faster, and more athletic, so it’s normal to see that they’re ready to move on from their veteran.

Love already knows what it’s like to team up with LeBron James to pursue an NBA championship. Moreover, no one can trust Anthony Davis to stay healthy, and he’d be a deluxe insurance policy for him.

NBA Rumors: Russell Westbrook and the best buyout candidates

Ernesto Cova — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 15:06:23 -0500

With the NBA trade deadline already in the history books, let's take a look at the three best potential buyout candidates right now.

The NBA trade deadline hype was well justified this season. We saw superstars like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving find new homes, with multiple players rejoining teams they played for in the past.

The Western Conference is wide open, and there’s no shortage of talent in the Eastern Conference, either. So, we’re likely going to see some playoff matchups for the ages this season.

Even so, contenders might be far from done making moves. So, with the NBA trade deadline already in the history books, let’s take a look at the three best potential buyout candidates right now.

NBA Rumors: 3 Best Buyout Candidates

3. Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose – Getty Images

Derrick Rose has no place in the New York Knicks right now. They have Jalen Brunson playing heavy minutes, and the former MVP could be better used somewhere else right now, as much as he loves Tom Thibodeau and vice versa.

Rose could provide an offensive spark off the bench for a contender. He’s no longer the athletic freak he used to be, but he’s still a walking bucket and a guy who can set the table for the rest of the offense.

2. Will Barton

Will Barton – Getty Images

Will Barton might as well be one of the most underrated role players in the Association. He can score from all three levelsand is a streaky scorer who doesn’t need to have a green light to take some big shots.

More than that, Barton’s length and lateral quickness allow him to play and defend multiple positions. He can play on and off the ball, and he’s not a part of the Washington Wizards’ plans right now.

1. Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook – Getty Images

The Utah Jazz are reportedly considering keeping Russell Westbrook if he’s up for it. If not, then he’d undoubtedly become the top buyout candidate this season, even after his failed tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers.

While he may not be willing to agree to come off the bench again, Westbrook was playing like a legit Sixth Man of the Year candidate. He’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer and could most definitely help a contender.

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