The LA Lakers may look at adding another free agent big man and players like Kevin Seraphin, Glen Davis, Jeff Withey and Greg Stiemsma remain available on the market and this comes after the team shopped a Nick Young trade, but that is looking unlikely for Los Angeles, while Kobe Bryant is hoping the group of D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, Roy Hibbert and Brandon Bass can get him to the playoffs.
The Lakers missed out on top free agents like LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Monroe this summer, but the team has been active in making moves and they have improved the roster. The team bought low on Roy Hibbert and they are hoping he can bounce back after a bad year in Indiana, while Lou Williams and Brandon Bass were signed in free agency. According to Sheridan Hoops, Michael Scotto reports that the Lakers have continued to show interest in Kevin Seraphin as a free agent option for the bench. The Lakers shopped Nick Young in a trade, but the LA Times reports that the team is likely keeping Young for now.
The Lakers reportedly are looking to add some more depth up front and Seraphin remains an option along with Glen Davis, Jeff Withey, Justin Hamilton and Greg Smith. Scotto reports that the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards have also shown interest in Seraphin. The Knicks reportedly are looking for a backup center/forward for the bench behind Robin Lopez and they could look at Seraphin along with JaVale McGee. The team also has Alex Kirk from the Summer League and he could be a potential option if the team doesn't add a free agent.
The Knicks have a near $3 million exception to use on a veteran and Seraphin could be an option. The 25-year-old previously was with the Wizards and reportedly wanted to find a bigger role for next season, but at this rate that is not happening. Seraphin likely will only be a reserve backup option wherever he signs, but he is needed on rosters like the Knicks or Lakers. The Wizards would bring him back, as Pro Basketball Talk writes that they "would love" to have him behind Marcin Gortat again.
The Lakers have a $2.8 million exception to use like the Knicks and they could look at Seraphin or Davis as an option for the roster. The team has Brandon Bass and a solid front court overall with Hibbert, Julius Randle, Robert Sacre and Ryan Kelly, but Mitch Kupchak would like a little more depth at the end. Randle is coming back from a serious injury and the team likely will manage his playing time and adding another center/forward could help that a great deal.
The Lakers roster still has one spot open and the team could look at keeping on Robert Upshaw, but Kupchak said to the media that he does not expect Upshaw to contribute this season. Seraphin comes in with career averages of 6.4 points and 3.7 rebounds and last season he was right in line with that for the Wizards. The Mavericks reportedly have had interest in Seraphin, but the team just signed Samuel Dalembert and that means they could be set up front on the roster. Marc Stein reports that the team could still be interested in McGee after signing Dalembert.
