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LA Loses Out On Key Frontcourt Role Player In Buyout Market

Originally posted on FanNation All Lakers
By Ricardo Sandoval | Last updated 2/13/24

Although your Los Angeles Lakers added a key piece in combo guard Spencer Dinwiddie, they did lose out on another player in the buyout market.

Free agent power forward Thaddeus Young is finalizing a deal with the Laker's division rival, the Phoenix Suns, for the rest of the season, as Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports:

Free agent F Thaddeus Young is finalizing a deal to join the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. More veteran, frontline depth for the Suns’ stretch and playoff run. Young has spent the past two-plus seasons with the Toronto Raptors. pic.twitter.com/Ilyq2leTx2
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 13, 2024

Young spent the last two-plus seasons with the Toronto Raptors. However, Toronto dealt him to the Brooklyn Nets at the trade deadline. He was then waived and became a free agent.

Young, 35, is averaging 5.0 points on 63.1% shooting, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. Although those numbers don't jump off the page, Young would have brought an extra big body to the Lakers.

He's a willing defender, scores in the paint at a high rate, and would have brought energy off the bench for the purple and gold. Instead, he will take all his attributes to the Lakers division rival, who already bolstered their rotation in the trade deadline.

The Lakers' chances of moving up the standings just got increasingly difficult. Nonetheless, if the Purple and Gold get healthy and play to their capabilities, they will be fine.

This article first appeared on FanNation All Lakers and was syndicated with permission.

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