Rob Pelinka: Lakers Want 'Best Available Player' on Buyout Market Post-Trade Deadline

The Los Angeles Lakers had a quiet NBA trade deadline day on Thursday, but they still could be looking to add a piece to help them as they battle for a playoff spot.

Per The Athletic's Jovan Buha, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said Los Angeles is looking to add a "ball-handling guard" and the "best available player" on the buyout market.

Los Angeles sits in ninth place in the Western Conference at 27-25 and is looking to make a charge into the playoffs.

While the Lakers didn't end up making any deadline moves, they were engaged heavily in talks with the Atlanta Hawks around guard Dejounte Murray. Los Angeles reportedly offered D'Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 2029 first-round pick and additional draft picks for Murray, to no avail.

Now, the Lakers will look to the buyout market. Los Angeles has one roster spot available, so it could add a player without waiving someone, but if the Lakers want to add multiple pieces, they will have to cut a player.

The Lakers have some solid potential options in the buyout market. One could be Spencer Dinwiddie, who was waived by the Toronto Raptors after being traded from the Brooklyn Nets earlier in the day. While with the Brooklyn Nets this season, Dinwiddie put up 12.6 points and 6.0 assists per game. Los Angeles could also look to pick up veteran Kyle Lowry, who was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in January and is a clear buyout candidate.

As the dust settles on the NBA trade deadline and more players become available following buyouts, the Lakers' future will solidify in the coming days.