Lakers free agency discussion: Jose Calderon

(Welcome to the 2013 Lakers Summer free agency guide. Be sure to check out our full archive of player capsules, news, editorials, and more on the Lakers free agency period over here.)

Jose Calderon is a name that has rolled off the tongues of many a Lakers fan over the last few seasons and the point guard will be an unrestricted free agent this Summer. After playing for the Toronto Raptors since he came into the league in 2005 Calderon was traded to the Detroit Pistons and will now test the open market. Can the Los Angeles Lakers make a play to bring him to L.A. to lineup beside national teammate Pau Gasol, or will the limitations of the Lakers cap situation make it an impossible feat to accomplish?

After a season ravaged with injuries depth across the board becomes important for the Lakers. Steve Nash's health must remain a high-level concern for the Lakers after he played only one game in the playoffs and 59 games during the regular season. Making it worse, Steve Blake also suffered from injuries through the season and played in 43 contests. The Lakers were left with Chris Duhon and Darius Morris hold down the fort through significant stretches of time.

It went as well as you'd think.

Why the Lakers should look at Calderon

• Security at the point guard position as both a starter and reserve
  
• Can play small with Nash similar to the small backcourt when Blake played shooting guard
• 46 percent three-point shooting would be a welcome addition
  

Other considerations

While Calderon is a good offensive point guard he would add to the pile of poor, aging (Calderon will be 32), perimeter defenders that the Lakers need to replace and/or upgrade.

Calderon's 2012-2013 season

11.3 ppg, 49.1% fg, 46.1% 3p, 7.1 apg

Last Contract Value

$11,046,0000

Free agency prediction

Even if the Lakers "wanted" to sign Calderon this would be a financial stretch. It's likely that the Lakers will have a level of interest in signing Calderon, but unless he takes a major pay-cut from what he will have on the table in an open market there's no way the Lakers can lure him in with a contract. The best the Lakers can offer is the mini mid-level at $3.1 million at a maximum of three years, which will be dwarfed by other offers he receives. With that said, adding depth to a position where they are already invested financially with three other players at least (with the impending contract of Darius Morris in the air) isn't ideal for L.A., especially when Blake played well down the stretch.

They would then have only the veteran's minimum to offer players in areas they need more help, like perimeter defense, wing depth, and three-point shooting. Calderon as a free agent is a pipe-dream safety blanket at best and terrible allocation of the limited assets left for the front office at worst.

This one isn't happening, folks.

- Drew

- Follow this author on Twitter @DrewGarrisonSBN