As the team with the most rumors before the trade deadline, the performance of the Lakers management disappointed fans, and the Purple and Gold Legion still had no grain until the trade deadline.
Not only did he not send Westbrook away with a big contract, but even the players who fell out of the rotation such as Jordan Jr. and Bazemore did not clean up, let alone complete valuable reinforcements with Tucker, Nunn and the first round of 2027.
As a result, the Lakers can only pin their hopes on the buyout market, which is the team's last chance to strengthen before entering the playoffs.
ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin also pointed out that after the lack of achievements in the trading market, the Lakers management is currently focusing on buying out the market's reinforcements.
So who can save the Lakers who are currently in trouble? The US media "Lakeshowlife" also shouted at the Lakers in advance, listing 5 major buyout targets, of which rocket new signing Schroeder was on the list, Harris was only second, and the Clippers veteran won the championship.
Goal Five: Satoransky
Satoransky is the least famous player on this list and the least capable player, but he is the most practical reinforcement object for the Lakers.
Because according to the current situation of the Lakers, it is difficult to imagine that there will be a high-quality buyout target to choose to join, after all, most of the buyout players want to join a team with the possibility of winning the championship.
Satoranski is on a $10 million contract this season and believes the Spurs will soon buy it out, but even if he joins the Lakers, the promotion of the team is very limited.
Goal Four: Favors
As early as the trade deadline, the Thunder were constantly peddling Favors, and unfortunately, no team was willing to pay even one second-round pick for Favors.
Considering that the Thunder are in the process of rebuilding, with Favors, who is carrying a $9.7 million contract this season and an option of $10.3 million players next season, certainly does not meet the needs of the team.
As a result, the Thunder could cash in favor of Favors' options for next season in advance, saving some of their salary this season, and for the Lakers, Favors will be a good interior reinforcement target, at least much better than Jordan Jr.
Goal Three: Schroeder
After the Lakers failed to keep Schroeder in the offseason, the latter chose to join the Green Army as a middle-class exception, and as a result, he not only failed to prove himself in the Green Army, but was sent to the Rockets by the Green Army before the trade deadline.
With the Rockets in full rebuild, there is no reason for the team to keep Schroeder, especially considering that Schroeder's contract will expire at the end of the season, and the Rockets can instead get a certain salary return by buying out Schroeder.
For the Lakers, the team once offered Schroder a large contract of 4 years and 84 million US dollars, and also hoped to get Schroeder through the transaction before the trade deadline, and it was naturally the best choice to sign directly through the buyout market.
Goal Two: Gary Harris
Gary Harris was seen as one of the few chips that Westbrook could get back before the deal deadline, but the Magic didn't move forward with the deal.
Considering that Gary Harris is carrying a contract of more than $20 million, a buyout is naturally the best option for both him and the Magic.
For the Lakers, Gary Harris is not a perfect reinforcement option, after all, he will only attack, it is difficult to provide defensive performance, similar to Munch, Anthony and Ellington, but considering that there are players like Jordan Jr. and Bazemore in the lineup, Gary Harris will be a better replacement option.
Goal One: Bledsoe
Before being sent to the Blazers, Bledsoe was also seen as one of Westbrook's reasonable trading chips because he was carrying a big contract and failed to meet his team's requirements.
Given the current situation of the Blazers, it is only a matter of time before Bledsoe is bought out, given Bledsoe's defensive ability.
In the first time after Bledsoe's buyout, the Lakers should provide this guard with a chance, after all, the Lakers' defensive ability on the outside is really too bad.