The Los Angeles Lakers opted to stay inactive leading up to the NBA's trade deadline for the 2023-24 season, which concluded last Thursday, February 8, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka chose not to make any significant moves, maintaining their roster with the same key players as they aim to make a deep run at the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
With their decision to maintain the current roster, the Lakers' remaining avenue to bolster their team is securing quality players from the buyout market. Fortunately, a few viable candidates could provide valuable assistance to the team.
The purple-and-gold squad occupies the ninth spot in the fiercely competitive Western Conference, holding a closely contested 27-26 record. They have secured victories in six of their last ten games.
The Lakers find themselves in a tight race, with only one game separating them from the 11th seed, the Golden State Warriors.
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3 players the Los Angeles Lakers should target in the buyout market
1. Spencer Dinwiddie
The Lakers might consider acquiring the six-foot-five guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who hails from California and most recently played for the Brooklyn Nets. He was traded to the Toronto Raptors at the deadline but was quickly waived, turning him into a free agent.
Dinwiddie could be a valuable addition, offering enhanced floor spacing through his shooting abilities while maintaining reliability on the defensive end. At 30 years old, Dinwiddie is still relatively in his prime.
The former Colorado Buffaloes player has been contributing with averages of 12.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game this season.
2. Otto Porter Jr.
Otto Porter Jr. played a crucial role as a starter for the Golden State Warriors during their successful 2022 championship campaign. However, his time with the Toronto Raptors following that season was predominantly marked by injuries.
Recently traded to the Utah Jazz before the deadline, Porter might be waived, presenting an opportunity for the Lakers to acquire him.
When in good health, Porter is an outstanding complementary piece for a championship-caliber roster, offering valuable attributes such as shooting, size, defensive skills, and rebounding.
At 30 years old, he remains in his prime, and the only question mark about him is his health.
3. Kyle Lowry
Veteran point guard Kyle Lowry was recently traded to the Charlotte Hornets from the Miami Heat earlier this month, with expectations of being waived and becoming a free agent.
While the six-foot player may have his best physical days behind him, he remains a valuable asset. Lowry spent most of the season as a starter for the Heat under head coach Erik Spoelstra before a recent slump.
Despite potential physical limitations, Lowry brings a wealth of leadership and championship experience, which is especially beneficial for the young players in the Lakers' guard position.
Considering his profile, signing Lowry could be viewed as a low-risk, high-reward move that the Lakers might explore.
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