As one of the pre-season recognized championship-contenders, the Los Angeles Lakers' 26-28 record this season is disappointing, and they have no room for improvement, and they may not be able to make a big deal that changes the team by Friday's trade deadline.
According to The Athletic's reporters, Jowan Buha and Bill Oram, the abandonment of one of deAndre Jordan or Kent Bazemore's contracts through a trade or buyout is widely considered to be the next most likely operation for the Lakers to trade with Taren Horton Tucker or Kendrick Nunn, with the Goal of both saving as much as possible on luxury taxes and creating a roster gap.
Back in January, ESPN's ace reporter Brian Windhorst reported that the entire league believed the Lakers could create more lineup flexibility by trading or buying out Jordan Jr. or Bazemore, both of whom have not played much of a significant role in the Lakers this season.
Jordan Jr. has never played more than 21 minutes in a game since losing to the New York Knicks on November 24 last year, and the Lakers even rowed LeBron James ahead of Jordan Jr. in the center rotation to put him in the center position in the small lineup. And since losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Dec. 18 last year, Bazmore has never played more than 14 minutes in a game.
Jordan Jr. has had a brilliant career, being named to the Team of the Year three times, defensive Team of the Year twice, rebounding champion of the season twice, and once an All-Star. Jordan Jr.'s brightest moment came with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin with the Los Angeles Clippers, who averaged double-doubles in six consecutive seasons between 2013-14 and 2018-19, helping The City to become the top powerhouse in the West. Although Jordan Jr. is still only 33 years old, he has long passed his peak and now his role on the court is limited, perhaps providing basket protection and rebounding capabilities for a team that needs more depth in the frontcourt.
Bazemore's career hasn't been as brilliant as Jordan Jr.'s, but when he played for the Atlanta Hawks between 2015-16 and 2018-19, he scored more than 10 points each season while maintaining a 35.6 percent three-point shooting percentage.
Overall, Jordan Jr. and Bazemore aren't going to make any big waves in the deal and buyout market, they look more like league fringes and their careers are coming to an end.