The Los Angeles Lakers completed the 2024 NBA trade deadline without adding any new players to their roster. Given that the team has suffered more than expected this year following what was largely regarded as a very good offseason, fans were cautious about any prospective changes.
However, as Head Coach Darvin Ham has stated, injuries, in his opinion, are a bigger factor in their failures than anything else. The perception of the Lakers may shift if they can maintain their health during the remaining games of the season.
LA should be on the lookout for any unsigned free agents they think would be a good fit for the squad in the interim. With 14 players on the roster full-time, the Lakers may sign one buyout target without having to let anyone go. They will have to start waiving players to create room if they wish to sign more than one player.
These four Lakers, ranked from most likely to be waived to least likely, could be released to make room for a new signing.
Hayes, Jaxson
Jaxson Hayes, who signed a two-year, $4.6 million contract with the Lakers last summer, has had difficulty establishing a regular playing schedule. Ham hasn’t given him much focus for minutes, and this season, the only three starts he has received have come in lieu of Anthony Davis’s injury-related absences.
Lakers supporters have discovered that Hayes’ mindset is likely the largest barrier to his success and what prevents him from receiving more playing time. He lacks the mental toughness needed to succeed in the NBA, despite having the physical make-up for it. In this league, it’s easy to find yourself benched if you don’t put in constant effort.
Hayes might be out of the Lakers’ locker room quickly if they can locate a backup centre with comparable physical attributes and better mental discipline.
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