The Los Angeles Lakers must turn to the buyout market if they want to make additional roster moves (they landed Luke Kennard earlier in the day), as the 2025-26 trade season is officially over.
While the franchise’s options are limited, Lake Shoe Life’s Maxwell Ogden believes that a former All-Star point guard could be an underrated addition alongside Luka Doncic in Los Angeles.
“The Minnesota Timberwolves made unexpected waves when they facilitated a trade between the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons,” Ogden wrote Tuesday. “Minnesota sent veteran point guard Mike Conley to Chicago in a deal that ultimately amounted to financial relief. In the process, Minnesota gave the Los Angeles Lakers an unexpected opportunity to bolster the rotation.”
“With Conley likely to hit the buyout market, the Lakers could add a veteran point guard to their rotation and create the backcourt depth they need.”
“Los Angeles has elite top-end talent at guard with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves anchoring the backcourt. Depth has been an issue, however, particularly with Reaves missing 25 games due to a calf injury and Doncic being absent from eight.”
There’s a reason Conley is still in the big leagues at age 38. In addition to being a tremendous teammate/mentor, the Ohio State product provides stability as a low-turnover lead guard who always makes the right reads.
Perhaps the Lakers will view Conley as a respected, experienced veteran who could help create scoring opportunities for their score-first assets. The former Memphis Grizzlies star averaged 4.4 points and 2.9 assists with the Timberwolves during the first half of the 2025-26 season, shooting 32.2% from the field and 32.1% from three.
Considering that NBA Insider Chris Haynes recently reported that Conley isn’t expected to remain with the Bulls, the Lakers should be prepared to pursue the Fayetteville, Arkansas native if they’re legitimately interested.
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