The NBA trade deadline has come and gone, and while the Los Angeles Lakers made a splash by acquiring sharpshooter Luke Kennard, they’re far from done wheeling and dealing. With the buyout market now heating up, the Purple and Gold are eyeing some serious talent to bolster their roster for a playoff push. According to reports, the Lakers have their sights set on two intriguing options: former Brooklyn Nets scorer Cam Thomas and versatile wing Haywood Highsmith, recently waived by the Nets after a stint with the Miami Heat. This could be the spark LA needs to climb the Western Conference standings and shake up the postseason picture.
Currently sitting in fifth place in the West with just 32 games remaining in the 2025-26 regular season, the Lakers trail powerhouses like the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, and Oklahoma City Thunder. They’ve been aggressive in their pursuits, even shopping second-year forward Dalton Knecht ahead of the deadline, though no deals materialized beyond the Kennard acquisition. Now, with one open roster spot, team and league sources indicate LA is turning to the buyout market to add depth, particularly in scoring and wing defense.
Cam Thomas: The Scoring Spark the Lakers’ Bench Desperately Needs?
First up is Cam Thomas, the polarizing yet undeniably talented guard who was surprisingly waived by the Nets post-deadline. Thomas, an LSU product, has spent his entire NBA career in Brooklyn but has seen limited action recently—playing just 24 games this season and 25 last year. In the 2024-25 campaign, he came off the bench in 16 of those appearances, averaging 15.6 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.8 rebounds while shooting 39.9% from the field and 32.5% from three-point range.
What makes Thomas so appealing? He’s instant offense—a microwave scorer who can heat up quickly and provide a much-needed punch to the Lakers’ second unit, which has struggled for consistent production. As a potential rental for the rest of the season, he could prove his worth as a sixth man alongside stars like Luka Dončić, potentially earning a longer stay if he fits seamlessly into the puzzle. However, he’s drawing interest from multiple contenders, so the Lakers will need to act fast.
Haywood Highsmith: Defensive Wing with Upside, But Injury Clouds Loom
On the defensive side, Haywood Highsmith emerges as a player of strong interest for the Lakers—provided his knee issues are fully resolved. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound forward with a seven-foot wingspan hasn’t suited up at all this season due to recovery from knee surgery, which led to his waiver by the Nets (after being traded from Miami last offseason). But when healthy, Highsmith is a gem: Last year with the Heat, he enjoyed his best NBA season, posting 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game on 45.8% field goal shooting and 38.2% from deep.
Highsmith’s versatility allows him to guard multiple positions, adding the wing defense and shooting the Lakers have been craving. He’s also attracting looks from other playoff teams, but his fit in LA could be perfect for shoring up the rotation without breaking the bank. The injury concern is real, but if cleared, he might just be the low-risk, high-reward addition that propels the team forward.
With the deadline drama behind them, the Lakers’ front office, led by Rob Pelinka, is poised to evaluate these buyout candidates closely. Adding Thomas could inject offensive firepower, while Highsmith brings the defensive grit to complement their star-studded lineup. Other names like Lonzo Ball, Chris Paul, and Mike Conley have been floated as possibilities, but Thomas and Highsmith stand out as targeted fits for LA’s needs.
As the Lakers aim for a strong finish and a deep playoff run, these potential signings could shift the Western Conference landscape. Will LA land one—or both—of these talents? Only time will tell, but the hunt is on, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Stay tuned as the buyout market unfolds!