The LA Lakers have made a number of moves this summer with Carlos Boozer as a free agent and Jeremy Lin in a trade and while they thought about offer sheets for Eric Bledsoe and Greg Monroe, the team is happy with their deals and as Byron Scott takes over as head coach, some names on the market could be options, as Jordan Crawford, Michael Beasley, Andrew Bynum, Ramon Sessions and Chris Douglas-Roberts are still available.
The Lakers introduced Byron Scott as their head coach and the team preached a return to their winning ways and he said that he is excited to work with Kobe Bryant this year. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Lakers may consider trading Steve Nash if they find a taker this year, as his contract is coming up and they now have Jeremy Lin after acquiring him in a trade with the Houston Rockets this offseason. PBT reports that the team isn't planning on using the stretch provision on Nash this year so that his cap hit comes this season and not over the next two years.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Crawford is another option for the Lakers and he is also getting targeted by the Knicks and the Chicago Bulls. Singleton is still on the market and he is an option for the Indiana Pacers after Shawn Marion signed with the Cavs, while Beasley also is a target. ESPN.com reports that the team worked out Beasley and they felt that he looked good in the workout, but so far there is no deal in place.
The Lakers are also looking to finish out their roster and this comes after the team signed a number of their own free agents, including leading scorer Nick Young. The team also brought back Wesley Johnson as well as Ryan Kelly and those players will help keep things tight on the bench and the Lakers are hoping those players can put up numbers like they did last season.
The team also added Ed Davis as a free agent player and he will be a solid option as a reserve after the team, lost Pau Gasol and Chris Kaman. While Davis cannot do as much as Gasol did last season, he at least can help make up that production and it comes after he averaged 5.7 points and 4.1 rebounds last season. Davis has solid shot blocking and rebounding skills and along with Jordan Hill and Julius Randle, the team should have a very solid front court.
The Lakers are coming into the season after a very tough year and now they are looking to bounce back and while they will not be a championship team, the Lakers have the chance to at least get back to the playoffs. The west is tough, but with the additions the team has made the Lakers should at least be able to compete in the bottom of the conference.
