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Are the Los Angeles Lakers interested in adding another point guard to their roster? It appears so, as the Lakers are reportedly interested in adding free agent point guard Will Bynum to the roster, according to Vincent Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.
While the Lakers do have Steve Nash and Steve Blake under contract for 2013-2014, both players struggled with injuries throughout the season. By the time the playoffs were wrapped up the Lakers were down to starting Darius Morris at point guard while also throwing Andrew Goudelock and Chris Duhon in the mix.
It's unclear what 30-year-old Bynum would demand as an unrestricted free agent. In his final year with the Detroit Pistons he averaged 9.6 points on 46 percent shooting from the field (31 percent from deep), along with 3.6 assists per game while making $3.5 million.
The Lakers would have to use their mini-mid level exception to make a contract pitch that begins close to Bynum's previous contract, but that $3.1 million exception is the biggest (and only) offering the Lakers can make to a free agent this Summer. Using their exception on a position that they already have a starter in Nash, rotation player in Blake, and still have Duhon under contract seems like an odd allocation of assets when there are other, more pressing, needs.
The logical conclusion is that Mitch Kupchak will try to pitch a veteran's minimum contract to Bynum and Bynum will likely have larger offers than what the Lakers will send his way. Kupchak better use some fancy paper and send the Lakers' finest raven when they deliver their offer.
Regardless, this is the first free agent directly linked to the Lakers, and it's worth noting that if it's accurate, L.A. has interest in adding a point guard into the mix. Is it for added depth, or are they preparing to plug in a potential hole based on their off-season moves? The rumors aside from Dwight Howard's free agency are bound to pick up as the NBA Draft draws nearer and free agency is less than three weeks away.
- Drew
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