The Los Angeles Lakers are working toward a buyout agreement with veteran point guard Jose Calderon, sources told ESPN's Marc Stein.
The 35-year-old has been scantly used in his first season as a Laker, in part because of a hamstring strain and in part because the rebuilding Lakers are stocked with young, developing guards. Calderon has averaged 3.3 points and 2.1 assists in 12.2 minutes across 24 games.
For all his glaring weaknesses, particularly at the defensive end, he is a wizened vet and a career 41.1 percent 3-point shooter who would be a nice end-of-bench presence for a contending team down the stretch.
To wit, Stein reports that the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets are among the teams that would be interested in signing Calderon if and when he secures a buyout and becomes a free agent. The Cleveland Cavaliers also reportedly have interest, but their priority is signing Deron Williams in the event Williams clears waivers, as he's expected to.
Calderon is in the final season of a four-year, $29-million deal, and has approximately $2.2 million owed to him for the remainder of the campaign. Sources told Stein that the discussions between the two sides don't necessarily mean they'll ultimately come to an agreement on a buyout.
Calderon would need to sign with another team before March 1 in order to be eligible for the playoffs.
