As they continue to look to improve their roster, the Los Angeles Lakers may have eyes on guard Leandro Barbosa.
Even though the addition of Steve Nash and Antawn Jamison met the needs of the Lakers, they still need a viable backup for Kobe Bryant off the bench.
Barbosa is arguably the best free agent on the market right now.
He'd be most suitable to play with the Lakers, having already played with his former Phoenix Suns teammate Nash.
Still one of the quickest players in the league, Barbosa averaged 11.1 points per game last season for the Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers.
Playing in 64 games last season he managed to shoot 42 percent from the field and 38 percent from beyond the arc.
His career 39 percent three-point shooting would be valuable to a Laker team that struggled with the three-ball last season. With him on the court he forces defenses to stretch, thus giving big guys Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol more room to work with in the paint.
It would be an upgrade for the team with the worst bench in the league.
Another benefit would be that he would be able to play both backcourt positions if necessary. Though not a traditional point guard, Barbosa can bring the ball up the floor and become another option at the position.
Oh, and let's not fail to mention that he is one of the league's top defenders.
Since he's up for grabs the Lakers should nab him quick before he's off the market.
Barbosa is now competing in the 2012 London Olympic Games as a member of Team Brazil.
Team Brazil's next opponent is Team Great Britain on Tuesday July 31 at 12:45 p.m. ET.
