The Los Angeles Lakers made it through the trade deadline by making two deals, shipping out Lou Williams as well as Marcelo Huertas. Even though the deadline has passed, their moves may not be done just yet.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Lakers and veteran point guard Jose Calderon are exploring buyout options:
Story going online now: The Lakers and veteran guard Jose Calderon are exploring their buyout options, ESPN has learned.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 25, 2017
Stein added that the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets would be interested should the Lakers ultimately buy out Calderon:
ESPN sources say Golden State and Houston would emerge as suitors for Jose Calderon if the Spaniard guard indeed secures his release from LA
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 25, 2017
This move makes sense on a ton of levels for both sides. Calderon is not a regular part of the rotation and with the youth movement likely won’t be going forward either. Buying him out would allow him to join a playoff team while still collecting his money for this season.
For the Lakers this opens up more time, not only for D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson, but also Tyler Ennis, who was acquired in the deal for Huertas. It also opens up a roster spot in case the Lakers want to give a look to someone from the D-League down the stretch of this season.
The Lakers are out of the playoff hunt so the team is solely focused on developing their young players and figuring out who is worth keeping around for the future. Calderon did an admirable job of filling in when players were hurt, but he is not part of the franchise’s plans moving forward.
Calderon appeared in only 24 games this season, averaging 3.3 points and 2.1 assists while shooting 35.3 percent from three-point range.
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