The Los Angeles Lakers may have upgraded with the acquisition of Steve Nash and Antawn Jamison, but the team still needs a viable option as a backup for Kobe Bryant in the backcourt.
After signing Jamison and bringing back Jordan Hill, Lakers GM Mitch Kuphak made it clear that he doesn't expect the team to use the mini mid-level exception of roughly $3 million per season to sign another free agent. The Lakers would only consider signing a player to this exception if they consider the player worth that value.
As of now the options the Lakers have are limited and they've narrowed it down to free agents Kenyon Martin, Leandro Barbosa and Jodie Meeks. All three players are capable of signing for more money than the Lakers can offer with another team, but unable to have a better chance to compete for a NBA title next season.
Of the three Meeks appeared most likely to sign with the Lakers, but now there has seem to have been a change in thought according to Meeks' agent David Bauman who addressed Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Times:
"We're happy to talk, but we're not talking minimum for a guy like Jodie," Bauman told The Times in a phone interview on Monday. "He'll get more than the minimum wherever he signs."
Arguably one of the best free agent options at shooting guard along with Barbosa, Meeks would be an intriguing addition to the Lakers' bench.
The Lakers remain reluctant to use the exception and may no longer consider the former Kentucky standout without the ability to sign him for the veteran's minimum.
