The Lakers hope to improve their struggling roster before the trade deadline, but the Lakers' two players with tradable contracts and on-court value, Tucker and Nunn, are both trading at a decline. However, they still face the risk of being traded. Five veterans, Bazemore, Jordan Jr., Howard, Ellington and Ariza, have the potential to leave the team, and Bazemore is most likely to be sent away by the Lakers, most likely in a manner similar to a Rondo-style deal, thus freeing up a place for the buyout market.
Tucker, 21, hasn't shown much improvement since becoming the team's fourth-best-paid player, which has led to a leaguewide debate over his cap. Nunn, 26, has yet to make his debut for the Lakers because he has a mysterious bone wound on his left knee.
The Lakers could use their 2027 or 2028 first-round picks to pair Tucker with Nann seeking a trade, but as previously reported by us media, they may not be able to get the players they want, such as Grant, Turner, Trent Jr.
Rather than giving up first-round picks or players like Tucker and seeking unrealistic deals, the Lakers' optimized trade deadline strategy could be to free up space in the buyout market. The Lakers currently have five fringe veterans who are mostly not in the regular rotation lineup: Bazemore, Jordan Jr., Howard, Ellington and Ariza.
According to a recent report by NBA insider Jake Fischer of the Bleacher Report, Bazemore may be the most likely of these veterans to go elsewhere. "The Lakers are looking for a new owner in Bazemore," Fisher wrote.
The 32-year-old, Bazmore, started in the first 13 games of the season and is expected to be a key offensive and defensive player for the Lakers, but Bazemore struggled and he fell off the rotation. Bazemore's recovery on the Lakers' recent road trip naturally hopes that this development will continue, giving him the possibility of being traded.
Moreover, as Vogel expressed after Wednesday's shooting practice, Bazemore has been an ideal teammate and an active contributor, no matter what role he plays on the day. The Lakers have always wanted to send Off Bazemore without attaching a second-round pick, just as they did with Rondo, who signed a one-year, $2.4 million contract.
(Text/Drunken Floating Life)