With Dwight Howard now gone from the Los Angeles Lakers, the team now looks to secondary options that remain in the list of free agent players. Now there's a need for an additional big man, and according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN LA, the Lakers have gained interest in free agent Elton Brand.

Brand has spent 14 years in the league, most recently with the Dallas Mavericks where he averaged seven points and six rebounds off the bench.

Brand can prove useful for the Lakers  despite appearing as a less than attractive option. If he fits their financial obligations he could be a very useful pickup.

Also, after much speculation that the Lakers would eventually amnesty Metta World Peace this year to cut $30 million in luxury taxes under the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), according to the Los Angeles Times' Mike Bresnahan, that may no longer be in their plans:

"...the Lakers are leaning toward keeping Metta World Peace instead of waiving him under the one-time amnesty provision, according to a person familiar with the situation."

The Lakers are limited to how much they can offer free agents this offseason, but have made it clear that they will not amnesty Kobe, and it was reported that Pau will not get amnestied as well with the departure of Howard.

The Lakers have also been rumored to be open to a possible reunion with Lamar Odom as well.

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