The NBA trade deadline of March 25 is approaching and the teams are starting evaluating their situations and planning ways to improve their rosters or to offload some of the contracts.
The Los Angeles Lakers are no different. The defending NBA champions have their eyes set on winning another title this season and will look to add pieces that would help with accomplishing that.
According to ESPN’s NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers, as well as the Clippers and the Nets, will be competing for top buyout market players.
“I know they’ve been poking around the league a little bit to see if some role players may become available elsewhere. But I think the Lakers and the Nets, the Clippers, those teams have shown that they’re going to compete for the top buyout market players chance to go win,” he said on The Woj Pod.
However, he did not give any specific names as far as potential additions to the Lakers. Though Woj mentioned, in passing, Trevor Ariza, who was reportedly drawing interest from the Purple & Gold before this season began. “Remember the player who is still out there, Bobby. Trevor Ariza, who’s on Oklahoma City’s roster,” Woj said.
“He’s not reported this year. Sam Presti does not traditionally do contract buyouts. That’s not something that he’s usually been able to find trades for guys. Maybe Ariza gets a trade somewhere and then gets bought out if the Lakers can’t trade for him but that’s another player who I think will be in great demand among the contenders.”
The 35-year-old veteran, who was a part of the 2009 championship-winning Lakers, has not played a single game this season despite being under contract with the Thunder.
