The Los Angeles Lakers may look at adding another free agent heading into camp, as reports have the team interested in bringing back Metta World Peace as a bench option for Kobe Bryant. The Lakers have also added point guard Marcelo Huertas on a deal to help add depth and experience for D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson on the roster.
The Lakers have made a number of moves this offseason, including adding Roy Hibbert in a trade and signing Lou Williams and Brandon Bass to free agent deals. The team has also brought in Jonathan Holmes and Michael Frazier to compete in camp and there is a chance that Robert Upshaw could get a deal as well. Those players are competing for spots and Peace could be in the mix if he is brought back by the Lakers.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski at Yahoo Sports, the Lakers have discussed "the possibility of signing" Peace back on a free agent deal. UPDATE: Woj now reports that Peace has been working out with the team and he is "moving closer to a one year deal" with the Lakers. The contract likely would be for one year and Yahoo Sports reports that "no deal has been agreed" on, but that there "have been talks" between the two sides about a reunion. Peace would add some depth to the roster and he is also a strong defensive player, which is something that the Lakers were lacking last season.
The Lakers have a young team and adding some veteran depth would not be the worst thing in the world for the roster. Peace comes in after playing in Italy last year and he has reportedly been working out at the team facility this summer. The Lakers have already added some extra depth at another position of need, as the team has signed free agent point guard Marcelo Huertas to a contract, According to Yahoo Sports, Huertas signed a one-year deal with the Lakers.
Wojnarowski writes that Huertas is one of the "most accomplished players" in the Euroleague and he "could give the Lakers and experienced pick and roll guard." The team has been looking to add some depth behind Russell and Clarkson for this season, as both players are young and still getting experience in the NBA. Huertas comes in after playing with Barcelona and he also has played for Brazil on the national team.
The Lakers have Julius Randle coming back from an injury and they likely will take it easy with him, while the point guards are expected to get a lot of work even if they have growing pains. The Lakers love what they have in Russell and they see him as a future star in this league. Kobe Bryant is ready to return after another injury and he is hoping to make it through the season healthy. Jim Buss also added this summer that he would welcome Bryant playing more with the Lakers after this season, as there have been reports that Bryant may retire.
Check here for more on the Lakers and Metta World Peace and more on the deal with Huertas.
