Breaking Down the Top Buyout Targets for the Lakers in 2025

The Lakers are still working to improve their roster after missing out on the Mark Williams trade. Which buyout options can help strengthen their weakened frontcourt?

Mo Bamba, who played with the Clippers earlier this season, could the Lakers bring him back to Los Angeles?

Mo Bamba, who played with the Clippers earlier this season, could the Lakers bring him back to Los Angeles? / Justin Ford/GettyImages

The Los Angeles Lakers have dominated NBA conversation ever since they acquired Luka Doncic more than two weeks ago. Most around the league agree that L.A. clearly came out on top in the trade, even before Anthony Davis was injured in his first game as a Maverick.

Reports suggest that Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka was approached by Mavericks GM Nico Harrison with the Doncic offer, a detail that has left NBA fans and insiders puzzled. Pelinka was compelled to accept the trade, but ever since Doncic arrived in L.A., he’s been tirelessly searching for a solution to fill the void left by Davis’ injury

Pelinka appeared to have found a potential answer when he traded for young Hornets center Mark Williams. However, that deal fell apart after Williams failed his physical. Since this happened after the trade deadline, Pelinka was unable to make another move in the trade market.

Now, the buyout market is the Lakers’ best hope to strengthen their frontcourt. To that end, they signed veteran center Alex Len last week. Len’s debut with the Lakers was underwhelming—he posted just four points and seven rebounds while struggling defensively in a loss to the Utah Jazz. His potential seems limited.

The Lakers clearly need additional help at center, but there’s a notable distinction between who might be available and who could actually make an impact. L.A. traded for Williams with Doncic’s preference in mind—someone athletic enough to be a lob threat. While no one available can match Williams’ impact (and the Lakers, due to being over the first apron, are ineligible to sign buyout players making more than the midlevel exception), there are a few players who might fit a similar profile.

Pelinka is undoubtedly working the phones right now, so let’s examine three of the top candidates he could pursue.

Lakers Buyout Candidate No. 1: Mo Bamba

If Pelinka is looking for a high-upside player, Mo Bamba could be the answer. The veteran big man has bounced around the league (including a brief spell with the Lakers), but his physical tools have never been in question.

Bamba’s 7-foot-10 wingspan allows him to alter shots and rack up blocks, a key attribute the Lakers now lack with Davis sidelined. Additionally, he’s a strong lob threat, especially with passes coming from Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves.

Bamba appeared in 28 games for the Clippers this season, playing behind Ivica Zubac for just over 12 minutes per game. He grabbed at least seven rebounds in six of his final ten games with the Clips and even blocked five shots in a game against the Wizards. He was traded to the Jazz alongside PJ Tucker for Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills earlier this month, but was waived before ever playing for Utah, allowing them to clear space for Jalen Hood-Schifino as part of the Doncic-Davis trade.

Bamba already has a familiarity with the Lakers and possesses the size and athleticism to be a more impactful player than Len. Pelinka should have acted sooner and signed him already.

Lakers Buyout Candidate No. 2: Chris Boucher

The buyout market is always unpredictable. Bamba is already available, but for other players, it’s unclear whether they’ll become available or not.

The Toronto Raptors are struggling at 17-38, and they might consider moving on from Chris Boucher. The future of Boucher could hinge on the health of Jakob Poeltl, who has missed nearly two weeks due to a hip injury. If Poeltl is out for an extended period, Toronto will need Boucher to play more minutes.

Boucher is averaging over 10 points per game and shooting the best three-point percentage of his career. This could make him appealing to the Lakers, as they look to create space around Doncic and James, who are both ball-dominant but possess exceptional passing vision to find open teammates.

Boucher reportedly drew interest at the trade deadline, but Raptors GM Masai Ujiri opted to keep him. It remains to be seen if that decision will change now that he traded for Brandon Ingram and signed him to a three-year, $120 million extension.

Lakers Buyout Candidate No. 3: Kelly Olynyk

This option deviates from the “Luka lob threat” mold, but Kelly Olynyk’s crafty game and high basketball IQ make him an intriguing possibility. The Lakers are already known for their basketball intelligence, and Olynyk could add to that dynamic.