The Los Angeles Lakers may look at Brendan Haywood, JaVale McGee or Kevin Seraphin as free agent options to help add some depth behind Roy Hibbert, Robert Sacre and Julius Randle on the roster depth heading into the back end of the summer, as LA needs another backup center after adding Hibbert, Brandon Bass and Lou Williams on deals this offseason. The team also could look at JR Smith if he does not sign back with the Cavaliers.
The Lakers have room on the roster for another player and heading into the back stretch of the summer they could look at adding a big man. According to the Los Angeles Times, the team would like to balance out the roster with another center, as Robert Sacre is the only reserve behind Roy Hibbert. Robert Upshaw is an option, but GM Mitch Kupchak said the team is not expecting him to be a contributor this season.
The Lakers added Roy Hibbert this offseason in a trade and signed Brandon Bass and now they have a solid group with Tarik Black and Larry Nance. The team could use some more though and with Brendan Haywood getting released, he could be an option as a backup center. The Lakers know that Julius Randle may have to get his minutes managed after a serious injury last season and putting too much pressure on the bench could be an issue.
Adding someone behind Hibbert could help with that if someone shifts over late in games. The Lakers also reportedly had interest earlier in the season in Smith, but it looks like he will be signing back with the Cleveland Cavaliers eventually.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Blazers have released Haywood and once he clears waivers he will be a free agent. Haywood was traded from the Cavs in a salary move along with Mike Miller, as the center had a non-guaranteed $10.5 million contract. Haywood was moved with Miller and now Miller could be released as well. Haywood comes in after playing in 22 games last season and averaging just 1.6 points and just over a rebound per game in just 120 minutes of play.
The Lakers have some options on the market, as Michael Scotto reports that the team is interested in Kevin Seraphin. According to Sheridan Hoops, Seraphin is generating interest from the Knicks, Wizards and the Lakers. Seraphin was a target for the Mavericks also this offseason, but the team signed Samuel Dalembert. Seraphin is a solid backup and he comes in after averaging six points and nearly four rebounds per game for the Wizards last season.
The Wizards are interested in bringing Seraphin back, while the Knicks would like a backup center behind Robin Lopez after Cole Aldrich left for the Clippers. McGee also remains an option on the market, but teams are being cautious about him due to past injuries. The Mavericks had interest according to ESPN's Marc Stein, but the team added Dalembert and could back off. McGee has only played in 28 games the past couple seasons and in 23 last year. Stein reports that Elton Brand also could be in the mix for teams.
The Lakers are hoping for some major improvement this year and while they may not make the playoffs in the west, the team should be much better this season than last year.
Check here for more on the Lakers offseason moves and interest in free agents.