LOS ANGELES — Although they were active in seeking a trade, the Lakers ultimately stood pat without a deal before the league’s noon trade deadline Thursday came and went.
The Lakers not making a trade signals two things: They like their team as is and believe the current group can be better than its current 27-25 record reflects. And any realistic trade wouldn’t upgrade the team in a meaningful way.
With the deadline behind them, the organization’s focus will turn toward the buyout market. The Lakers have an open standard roster spot and can offer a prorated salary of the remainder ($1.9 million) of their non-taxpayer mid-level exception – more than most teams can offer – after using a chunk of it to sign Gabe Vincent last offseason.
The Lakers are also hopeful Vincent, who’s been sidelined for all but five games because of left knee ailments, and Jarred Vanderbilt, who’s sidelined because of a sprained right foot, can be impactful players for them once returning from injury.
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Since they stood pat, the Lakers will have three movable first-round draft picks during this offseason – compared to just one they had at their disposal ahead of Thursday’s deadline – in their expected pursuit of a high-caliber, All-Star level player.