The LA Lakers have Byron Scott as head coach for Kobe Bryant and now Los Angeles could look at some free agent options and while Eric Bledsoe or Greg Monroe would be dream targets, they are going to cost too much and now names like Chris Douglas-Roberts, Ramon Sessions, Andray Blatche, Michael Beasley or Jordan Crawford could be in the mix after the Jeremy Lin trade this offseason to help Steve Nash at point guard.
The Lakers are working on filling out their bench and while the free agency list of players is getting down to the bottom of the barrel, there are still some valuable names out there. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Blatche has been a target for the Lakers and the team has also been interested in adding Jordan Crawford, as they would like another outside shooter that can hit the three. Scott is looking to preach defense and Douglas-Roberts could be a solid addition after the way he played last season in Charlotte.
Chris Singleton is another option for the Lakers and he is a target for a number of other teams, including the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers. Singleton only averaged 3.0 points and 2.2 assists last season with the Wizards, but he barely played and he could get more playing time with the Lakers or Pacers. The team is excited about having Carlos Boozer and while many saw him as a disappointment in Chicago, he is a perfect fit for LA at his new price. The team put the highest bid on him and he comes in after averaging 13.7 points and 8.2 rebounds in less than 30 minutes per game last season.
The Lakers brought in Byron Scott officially as head coach after plenty of speculation and now he comes in looking to remake the team after a couple of tough years and injuries to Bryant. Nash will likely be a bench player unless he somehow gets fully healthy and there is a chance that they could look at a trade down the line since his contract will be expiring soon in the future, although teams will want something else along with him most likely.
The Lakers have made a number of smaller moves in free agency this year, keeping a number of players like Nick Young, Wesley Johnson, Ryan Kelly and Xavier Henry and that gives the team some solid bench support. Kobe Bryant is expected to be back healthy and the team needs that along with Steve Nash, although he likely will be in more of a reserve role. The Lakers are going to use his $9.7 million on the cap this year so they can clear it rather than spread it out and while that hurts now, it will be gone next season and they can sign more players.
The Lakers also added Ed Davis and they feel that he can help out with Carlos Boozer to replace the production of Pau Gasol. Davis comes in after averaging 5.7 points and 4.1 rebounds last season with the Grizzlies and now he is in on a two year deal. Davis is a solid reserve option and is a good shot blocker as well and that should help the Lakers keep things going after Gasol went to the Chicago Bulls.
