Lakers Rumors: Ranking Antawn Jamison and the Top 5 Free Agents on L.A.'s Radar

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The Los Angeles Lakers have made perhaps the biggest splash of the offseason by acquiring unrestricted free agent point guard Steve Nash via a sign-and-trade deal with the Phoenix Suns.

While the Lakers have also been linked with a possible trade for Dwight Howard over the past few days, they have also been linked to several other free agents as well.

It could turn out that signing a free agent or two could be more beneficial for the Lakers than mortgaging pieces of the future to make a play for Howard.

With that being said, here's a look at five such players.

5. Anthony Tolliver

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FOX Sports columnist Chris Tomasson reports via Twitter that the Lakers are among the teams showing interest in Tolliver.

Until getting Rashard Lewis, Heat were looking at FA F Anthony Tolliver Teams now eyeing Tolliver: Chicago Dallas Cleveland Lakers Minnesota

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 12, 2012

The Lakers are targeting size, but Tolliver stands only 6'8". Nevertheless, he is a guy that plays hard and smart.

He hustles defensively and takes charges and is a very good passer for a big man. Tolliver is a low-mistake player who would be a low-risk and possible high-reward signing.

He only averaged 4.1 points and 3.0 rebounds a season ago, but he's also only two years removed from posting averages of 12.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per night.

4. Jermaine O'Neal

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The Lakers need a quality backup for whoever the team's center is in 2013—Andrew Bynum or Dwight Howard.

Currently only rookie Robert Sacre is on the roster to backup Bynum, so a veteran center is a must.

The Lakers have interest in O'Neal, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com, and there's very little risk involved. He's just been unable to remain healthy.

3. Jordan Hill

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Meanwhile, the Lakers remain in negotiations with Jordan Hill, according to McMenamin.

Hill had some good moments coming off the bench in Los Angeles, but he's also a player who has underachieved throughout his NBA career to date.

He also was charged with felony assault in May (per ESPNLosAngeles.com) after an incident with his girlfriend in Houston, which means character concerns could come into play.

2. Elton Brand

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The final $18 million remaining on Brand's contract was amnestied by Philadelphia on Thursday, according to John N. Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

He averaged 11.0 points and 7.2 rebounds for the Sixers last season and could add some depth to the Lakers rotation.

Dallas is under the cap and has some interest in Brand, according to Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com

If he makes it through waivers, Brand is someone the Lakers will definitely target, according to McMenamin.

1. Antawn Jamison

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The Lakers are in competition with several other teams for Jamison's services, including Brooklyn, Golden State and Charlotte, according to McMenamin, and a source close to Jamison said on Thursday that the Nets appeared to be his preferred destination at the moment.

What's more, the Nets appear to be working on a sign-and-trade to acquire him, according to Fox Sports' Sam Amico:

Sources confirm Cavs & Nets have talked sign-and-trade involving Antawn Jamison. Story: tinyurl.com/c79wr46

— Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) July 12, 2012

However, if that falls through, the Lakers should make Jamison their top priority.

This team got no production from the wing a season ago and he's a guy that can still get it done.