The Los Angeles Lakers have seemingly played their best basketball after standing pat at the trade deadline. The team saw a three game winning streak come to an end when they fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday.
It appears the Lakers won’t be making any more roster moves this late into the season, according to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News:
The Lakers could buy out contracts to clear up roster space either to acquire a free agent or through the Development League. But Scott said he has not had any discussions with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak.
It also seems unlikely the Lakers will do that, according to a league source familiar with the situation.
There figures to be high turnover when assembling next season’s roster. Only Kobe Bryant, Julius Randle, Nick Young and Ryan Kelly are signed on to return with options on Jordan Hill, Robert Sacre, and Jordan Clarkson. Ed Davis also has a player option but will opt out looking for a return and longer term deal.
The Lakers have some interesting prospects on their Developmental League team, the Los Angeles D-Fenders. After getting training camp invites, Jabari Brown, Roscoe Smith, and Keith Appling were named affiliate players and have been on the D-Fenders’ roster all year.
Of course, the Lakers have an important offseason coming up. The team will have ample cap space to make a run for free agents and could add a top-five draft pick if they were to keep it. Building a contending team is something the front office would like to do in Kobe Bryant’s final year under contract. Which players they target and bring in will be something to watch over the summer.
[divide]Lakers Byron Scott, ‘Our Bigs Got Outplayed’