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Los Angeles Lakers: Post-deadline buyout candidates

By Jason Reed

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 17: Frank Vogel the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers gives instructions to his team against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 17, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 17: Frank Vogel the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers gives instructions to his team against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 17, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Bobby Portis

*Update: After posting this article, Portis stated that he did not want to work out a buyout with the Knicks.

Okay, this one would be pretty funny. If you are a Laker fan and you only know one thing about Bobby Portis it is probably that he whacked Kentavious Caldwell-Pope upside the head in early January and got a flagrant two foul as a result.

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That seemed to ruffle the Lakers’ feathers, and rightfully so, so the idea of Portis being a Laker might not seem all that realistic.

Plus, he is totally not your typical buyout candidate. He is only 24 years old, he is not one of these grizzled veterans on a bad team that wants to sign with a contender. He is, however, someone who is on a bad team and is on an expiring deal.

Portis does have a club option after this season but there is no way that the Knicks would exercise it with how much he is set to be paid. With his role on the team this season, it is pretty apparent that Portis is not a big component to the future of the Knicks and after not moving him at the deadline, I would not be shocked to see the Knicks simply cut ties.

Portis could be offensively what the Los Angeles Lakers are trying to get out of Kyle Kuzma when he is on the floor with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Portis is a big man that can effectively stretch the floor without giving up size.

Portis’ shooting beyond the arc is down to 34.7 percent this season, which is still better than Kuzma, but he has shown that he can be an above-average shooter. He shot 39.3 percent from beyond the arc in 2018 and above 40 percent with the Washington Wizards when he was actually getting starting minutes.

dark. Next. Why it is best that Kuzma did not get traded

Too many shooters are never a problem to have and the Lakers could add something they do not really have right now with a big man that can stretch the floor. Plus, his youth is an added benefit, as he could be a part of the team’s future plans as well.

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