The Los Angeles Lakers have made a number of significant moves this offseason after losing Dwight Howard and the team made it official on Wednesday with the signing of forward Elias Harris.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Harris was signed to a two-year deal that includes the one-year minimum in the first year and a team option for the second year. The one-year deal of $490,180 is partially guaranteed and now the undrafted rookie out of Gonzaga is the 12th player on the roster and the report says that Ryan Kelly is likely number 13 after he was taken in the second round of the draft at pick number 48.
Harris was excellent on both sides of the floor in the summer league and that is why he was added to the roster after scoring 10.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 27 minutes per game and now he will help Kobe Bryant try to win another championship. He started all five games in the summer league and the team likes what he brings to the table as a player off the bench. This offseason the Lakers have signed Jordan Farmar, Wesley Johnson, Nick Young and Chris Kaman after losing Metta World Peace and Dwight Howard.
The team may also lose Antawn Jamison, as reports say that the Chicago Bulls, Clippers and Grizzlies are interested in signing him as a free agent. He was solid off the bench last season for the Lakers and could give a team some depth on the roster. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Jamison is on the radar for the Bulls after playing with the Lakers last season and he could add some much needed depth and veteran leadership to the bench. The Bulls feel that getting Rose back is like making a huge free agent signing and after losing Nate Robinson, the team added Mike Dunleavy to help improve their three point shooting, which was one of the most inconsistent in the league.
Luol Deng and Joakim Noah are back after dealing with trade rumors this summer and adding Jamison to the roster would only bolster their depth. The team is coming back strong with Carlos Boozer as well as Jimmy Butler, who showed that he is growing last season and could improve into a very solid player alongside Rose this year. Jamison didn't do much last season for the Lakers, but over 36 minutes his average is 15.7 points and 8.0 rebounds and that could end up being huge for the Bulls down the line.
Rose, Butler, Deng, Boozer and Noah is a solid starting lineup in the East and while the Heat still are the top team, having Jamison and Taj Gibson on the bench is valuable and they should be able to match up well with the best teams in the East. The Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies are also interested in Jamison and depending on what he is looking for, the Bulls could be a nice fit for him.