The LA Lakers have Kobe Bryant back and Byron Scott as head coach and now Los Angeles may look at free agent options like Michael Beasley, Jordan Crawford, Chris Singleton or Andrew Bynum as they try and fill out the roster and this comes as a dream free agency target in Eric Bledsoe is likely signing back with the Phoenix Suns this summer.
The Lakers have made a number of free agent moves this summer and while they once considered a sign and trade offer for Bledsoe, the team quickly backed out of that since they knew the Suns would match. According to ESPN.com and Pro Basketball Talk, the team worked out Michael Beasley in Los Angeles and they could sign him later in the week, while Crawford is a name that has also been mentioned in reports.
Beasley was with the Miami Heat last season and ESPN.com reports that he looked good in his workout with LA. The team may also look at Crawford or Andrew Bynum, while Greg Oden is on the market and is working out for the Clippers. The Lakers have some space left to add on their roster, but it can't be for too much money since Steve Nash has his salary on the cap this season, as the team did not use the stretch provision on him.
Singleton is another option for the Lakers and he could be a solid scorer off the bench for the team and he also has size and can play at various spots on the floor. That versatility could make him a good addition to Byron Scott's team and he also plays defense and he comes in after averaging just 3.0 points and 2.2 assists per game, but that was because he played only 10 minutes in 25 games. The Wizards had a busy rotation and he averaged just 4.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in three seasons, but that could be exactly what the Lakers need at the end of the bench.
The Lakers have made a number of solid moves this summer and on top of bringing back most of their own free agents, the team also signed Carlos Boozer and traded for Jeremy Lin. Boozer was amnestied by the Chicago Bulls due to his $16 million salary, as the team simply could not justify paying him that much anymore while he was playing just 28 minutes per game. Boozer was fairly productive with Chicago while averaging 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds, but at his salary that was too much but on the Lakers it's perfect. Boozer can help make up for the loss of Pau Gasol, while Jeremy Lin can step in and take over for Steve Nash.
The Lakers also signed Ed Davis this offseason and they also have Jordan Hill back along with Robert Sacre and that gives the team a deep roster up front. The team also signed back Wesley Johnson as well as Ryan Kelly and Nick Young and Swaggy P comes back after leading the team in scoring last season. The Lakers also signed back Xavier Henry and while they lost Kendall Marshall to the Bucks, having Lin should help that on the bench despite Marshall playing well last season.
