Report: Lakers Interested in Moe Harkless If Bought Out by Knicks

A new report indicates that one player that the Los Angeles Lakers are looking at in the NBA buyout market is New York Knicks veteran forward Moe Harkless.

Sam Amick of The Athletic made an appearance on Tuesday on ESPN’s “The Sedano Show,” and offered some insight concerning the Lakers’ buyout concerns.

“Moe Harkless is a name I’ve heard they’re interested in and monitoring and still have an eye on,” Amick said.

The 26-year-old Harkless was traded earlier this month to the Knicks from the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the Marcus Morris deal.

While the prospect of an actual buyout of Harkless’ contract by the Knicks hasn’t been officially confirmed, Marc Berman of the New York Post indicated that the Knicks are open to letting the veteran go.

“Sources indicated if Harkless, who is in his eighth season, wanted to go to a contender, the Knicks would accommodate him,” Berman wrote.

Harkless was the 15th overall selection in the 2012 NBA Draft, but his inability to develop into a standout currently has him playing for his fourth different team.

This season, Harkless has seen action in 51 games and is averaging 5.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game. The Lakers have been searching for players to bolster the depth of their squad as they continue to aim toward what they hope will be an extended playoff run this year.

The Lakers resume play after the All-Star break with a Friday night home matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, taking a Western Conference-best record of 41-12 into the contest.