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In the minds of many Los Angeles Lakers fans, the period leading up to Thursday's NBA trade deadline was a disappointing one. The Lakers made just one trade, and it was a relatively minor one that sent out Gabe Vincent for sharpshooter Luke Kennard.
There was no trade for the type of 3-and-D wing the team badly needs, let alone one for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
But given how restrictive the NBA's new hard salary cap is, there are some seemingly viable players who will be available via the buyout market. The Lakers have one open roster spot as of now, and they could have just barely enough space under the first apron to sign someone for the remainder of this season.
Per Dan Woike of The Athletic, Los Angeles is interested in two buyout candidates who most recently played for the Brooklyn Nets: Haywood Highsmith and Cam Thomas.
Highsmith is 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, but he has a seven-foot wingspan and can play both forward spots. He has a career accuracy of 37.4% from 3-point range.
The concern with him is the meniscus tear he suffered back in August that has prevented him from playing so far this season. The Lakers will need to make sure he has made a full recovery and will be ready to not only return soon but also contribute.
Thomas, a 6-foot-3 guard who was a first-round draft pick in 2021, averaged 24 points a game last season and 22.5 points a game during the previous season. But he's shooting just 39.9% from the field and 32.5% from 3-point range this season, and he isn't an above-average defender.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers are reportedly interested in two buyout candidates
Continue reading...
There was no trade for the type of 3-and-D wing the team badly needs, let alone one for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
But given how restrictive the NBA's new hard salary cap is, there are some seemingly viable players who will be available via the buyout market. The Lakers have one open roster spot as of now, and they could have just barely enough space under the first apron to sign someone for the remainder of this season.
Per Dan Woike of The Athletic, Los Angeles is interested in two buyout candidates who most recently played for the Brooklyn Nets: Haywood Highsmith and Cam Thomas.
Highsmith is 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, but he has a seven-foot wingspan and can play both forward spots. He has a career accuracy of 37.4% from 3-point range.
The concern with him is the meniscus tear he suffered back in August that has prevented him from playing so far this season. The Lakers will need to make sure he has made a full recovery and will be ready to not only return soon but also contribute.
Thomas, a 6-foot-3 guard who was a first-round draft pick in 2021, averaged 24 points a game last season and 22.5 points a game during the previous season. But he's shooting just 39.9% from the field and 32.5% from 3-point range this season, and he isn't an above-average defender.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers are reportedly interested in two buyout candidates
Continue reading...
