The Los Angeles Lakers have time to make a beneficial move on the buyout market to help Luka Doncic.

Although a former Milwaukee Bucks forward and NBA champion isn’t the same asset he used to be, he could still assist the Lake Show in his late 30s. 

“One recent transaction from the Toronto Raptors could be what Los Angeles has been waiting for,” Sports Illustrated’s Matt Levine wrote last Friday. 

“The Raptors recently released veteran forward P.J. Tucker and the Lakers could look into him on the buyout market. Tucker has not played this season and was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers prior to the NBA trade deadline.”

“While Tucker wouldn’t completely solve the Lakers center issue, he has played center in the past. The veteran isn’t the same player that he once was but he could offer this group some decent minutes of rebounding and defense.”

“The Lakers could throw Tucker into the fold for a few minutes at a time, giving other players needed rest down the stretch of the regular season.”

“While he is undersized, Tucker has always played bigger than he really is.”It may be difficult to believe, but Tucker was a serviceable two-way forward earlier in his career.”

Tucker, who won an NBA title with the Bucks in 2021, has remained in the league for over 15 years by regularly drilling corner triples and neutralizing gifted offensive-minded contributors. 

Unfortunately, Tucker’s productivity and impact on the hardwood have deteriorated with age, causing the Texas product to become a journeyman lately.

With the Lakers, Tucker could hold his own defensively and bring toughness to a team that desperately wants to succeed in the playoffs. 

The former second-round pick is worth a look this season.

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