The Los Angeles Lakers’ Tumultuous Trade Deadline
The Los Angeles Lakers experienced a tumultuous trade deadline. After acquiring Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis and bringing in Mark Williams to replace AD, they believed they had a balanced roster for the remainder of the season. However, when reports surfaced about Williams failing his physical and the Lakers voiding the trade on Saturday, it shook both the NBA and Lakers fans.
With no starting-caliber centers on the roster now, the Lakers face a challenge in their championship aspirations, especially with Jaxson Hayes as the starter and no other traditional big men. JJ Redick will likely have to rely on small lineups or hope that Christian Wood and Maxi Kleber return soon to provide help in the playoffs.
The Lakers’ best option may be to look for a center via free agency or the buyout market. While the free agent pool is limited, the buyout market could offer better opportunities. Veterans whose contracts no longer fit their teams after the trade deadline can now be bought out and sign with new teams before the season ends.
Before their 2020 championship run, the Lakers signed Markieff Morris after the Detroit Pistons bought him out, and he became a key playoff contributor. This shows that the buyout market can still provide valuable players, especially for a team like the Lakers, which can offer a starting role on a contender. Let’s examine some of the top buyout candidates.
1. Chris Boucher, Toronto Raptors
Though the Raptors have not indicated plans to buy out Chris Boucher, it seems likely given his situation. At 32 years old, Boucher is not in the team’s long-term plans. His contract expires this offseason, and the Raptors have Jakob Poeltl and Jonathan Mogbo ahead of him in the rotation. It would make sense for Toronto to allow Boucher to play for a playoff contender rather than remain on a lottery-bound team.
Boucher’s skill set aligns with what the Lakers need. As a modern, versatile center, he can space the floor with his shooting and provide rim protection. He may not be the most physically dominant center, but his mobility and elite wingspan make him a strong presence around the basket. Additionally, his ability to adapt to JJ Redick’s defensive switching scheme would likely be a good fit with the addition of Luka Doncic.
While Boucher isn’t the Lakers’ long-term answer at center, he would be a solid short-term solution. A combination of Jaxson Hayes and Boucher could potentially handle most matchups, except for against top-tier centers like Nikola Jokic.
2. Larry Nance Jr., Atlanta Hawks
Another potential option for the Lakers could be a familiar face: Larry Nance Jr. The Lakers drafted Nance in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft. After spending 2.5 seasons in Los Angeles, Nance was traded to the Cavaliers and played alongside LeBron James during his final year in Cleveland, helping the team reach the NBA Finals.
While Nance’s career has been somewhat hampered by injuries—he has never played more than 67 games in a season—he has made an impact, particularly on the defensive end when healthy. As his career progressed and his athleticism diminished, Nance became a solid defensive big man. In his early years, he was known for his high-flying plays, but in recent seasons, he has developed into a reliable small-ball center who can switch on defense.
Standing at 6-foot-8, Nance isn’t the biggest player for the position, but he plays much larger than his size. His strength and physicality make him capable of guarding traditional centers and being a solid post defender.
At 32 years old and with an expiring contract with the Atlanta Hawks, Nance is unlikely to remain with the team beyond this season, especially with the Hawks in a rebuilding phase. The Hawks may consider buying out his contract, allowing him to sign with a contender. If that happens, the Lakers should be at the top of his list of potential destinations.
3. Kelly Olynyk, New Orleans Pelicans
Although Olynyk might be the most talented player on this list, he could also be the least ideal fit for the Lakers.
After acquiring Luka Doncic, the Lakers are in dire need of bolstering their defense. With Austin Reaves, Doncic, and LeBron James on the floor, the remaining spots should go to defense-focused players to make the team a competitive playoff defense. Olynyk, unfortunately, is not known for his defense.
That said, Olynyk may be better than his reputation suggests. He moves well, takes charges, and is an intelligent player overall. While he may not be the most athletically gifted or physically imposing, standing at 6’11” gives him a solid presence on the floor.
Olynyk’s main strength lies on the offensive side. He’s a versatile player capable of handling the ball, shooting, passing, and scoring in various ways. The 33-year-old Canadian could bring a different dimension to the Lakers’ offense, making them even more potent.
However, Olynyk is one of the less likely buyout candidates. He has one more year left on his contract, worth $13.4 million for the 2025-26 season. A buyout would only happen if he’s willing to forgo that substantial amount of money to join a championship contender. Whether Olynyk is open to such a move remains uncertain.
4. P.J. Tucker, Toronto Raptors
Although he hasn’t played a single game this season, P.J. Tucker is still earning $11.5 million and was traded three times at the deadline. He eventually joined the Toronto Raptors, though reports indicate he’s unlikely to report to the team.
Tucker is arguably the most likely player on this list to be bought out. With his 40th birthday approaching in May, this could be his final season in the NBA, making a chase for another ring a logical decision for the veteran.
While Tucker is expected to enter free agency, it’s uncertain how much interest he’ll generate. He hasn’t played this season and wasn’t particularly effective during his last stints with the Clippers or the Sixers.
At this stage in his career, Tucker’s offensive abilities are extremely limited. He’s primarily a corner three-point shooter, and while he can still guard bigger players due to his strength and physicality, it’s unclear how many minutes he could handle against top teams in the playoffs.
Among the potential buyout candidates, Tucker stands out for his vast playoff experience. He won a ring with the Bucks and played a key role in the Rockets’ playoff battles against the Warriors. He could be a valuable locker room presence and an experienced veteran to have around, though his on-court contributions may be limited.
