The Los Angeles Lakers are still shopping around for veteran players they can get at a cheap price. The motto of the team appears to be to sign players to low-risk contracts for one or two years in order to prepare for the free agency frenzy that will not take place until a year from now. So with that, they have brought in multiple players for workouts and might have found one younger talent worth pursuing in Austin Daye.
The Lakers worked out Daye this week. While no deal is imminent, a signing could be likely once the Lakers dump Antawn Jamison. The free agent veteran is highly unlikely to re-sign with the team and several others have expressed interest. So, a roster spot in available for young player who was drafted back in 2009 as the successor to Tayshaun Prince in Detroit. However, he has to truly make an impact in the league in four years and was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the Rudy Gay deal. He has averaged a less-than-stellar 5.6 points per game on 41 percent shooting. Lakers fans must be jumping with joy at this idea.
Daye showed signs of life in the 2012 season. He averaged a career-high 55.4 percent shooting in 12.3 minutes per game on both teams. His stats are not very impressive, but the Lakers are running short on options. Lamar Odom is still available and honestly might be a stronger option.
Odom would easily sign a veteran's minimum if it meant he returned to the Lakers. He only managed 4 points per game last season, but he did put up 5.9 rebounds a game. The Lakers are in a way bringing the band back together, so why not add Odom. He did not want to leave in the first place. After losing Dwight Howard, a body that big should be welcomed by the team.
Daniel Gibson is another name that continues to come up in the Lakers free agent hunt. At 27, he still has some youth in him. He managed 5.4 points a game last season and while the Lakers do not need any backcourt depth, they could use a few shooters. Gibson can be pretty deadly from 3-point range and that could help in a pinch if Steve Nash is injured. Gibson would also add insurance to Steve Blake and Jordan Farmar.
Mike D'Antoni wants veteran depth. With August quickly approaching, quality is not really available so Daye or Odom is the team's best options at this point.
