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Lonzo Ball during a game against the Boston Celtics in October 2025
Despite the Los Angeles Lakers long being expected to operate as buyers ahead of the February 5 trade deadline, that perception has begun to shift in recent days.
The team’s failure to land several high-profile targets is now being framed less as missed opportunity and more as a reflection of general manager Rob Pelinka’s broader philosophy, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.
Rather than forcing short-term upgrades, Pelinka appears increasingly wary of sacrificing long-term financial flexibility.
That caution is tied to the Lakers’ projected offseason outlook, with more than $55 million in available cap space expected this summer.
Still, a quieter approach at the deadline does not rule out roster upgrades altogether. Instead, the buyout market is emerging as a potential avenue for improvement without compromising future plans.
Lakers Eye Buyout Market for Low-Risk Help
As trade activity accelerates across the league, the buyout market may offer Pelinka an alternative path to reinforcing the roster while preserving flexibility.
On Wednesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded Lonzo Ball and two second-round picks to the Utah Jazz, with the Jazz subsequently sending Jock Landale to the Atlanta Hawks for cash considerations.
Shortly after the deal, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Utah is expected to waive Ball, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Ball’s availability is expected to attract league-wide interest, and Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts believes the Lakers should be firmly in the mix.
“The Los Angeles Lakers have never been shy about adding in the buyout market,” Watts wrote. “The Lakers have an open roster spot and will draw interest from all the top names who are bought out.”
“This could be Lonzo’s chance to finally return home. Luka Doncic makes everyone look better on the offensive end of the floor. He would get Lonzo open looks and create chances for him to make the extra pass. There is virtually no risk as it will just be a rest of the season contract.”
Low Risk, Familiar Upside
Through 35 games this season, Ball is averaging 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.3 steals, on poor shooting efficiency.
Since being traded by the Lakers in 2019 as part of the Anthony Davis deal, Ball’s career has been repeatedly disrupted by injuries.
Still, he remains just 28-years-old and offers defensive instincts and playmaking traits that could fit neatly alongside Luka Doncic.
While his three-point shooting has dipped to 27.2% this season, Ball converted 42.3% of his attempts during the 2021-22 campaign.
Even a partial return to that form would be valuable for a Lakers team currently ranked 22st in the league in three-point percentage at 34.9%.
Ball is in the first year of a two-year, $20 million contract, earning $10 million this season, with a team option for 2026-27.
A buyout would allow him to sign a short-term deal, ensuring any addition would not interfere with Los Angeles’ longer-term financial plans.
With LeBron James widely expected to come off the books and significant cap space opening up, the Lakers appear to be positioning themselves for a clean summer reset, one centered on re-signing Austin Reaves and continuing to build around Doncic.
Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, based in Paris, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA and wider global sport. More about Matt Evans
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