NBA Free Agency: Los Angeles Lakers' Top Offseason Possibilities

One of the bigger names still on the NBA market without a home for the 2010-2011 season is Tracy McGrady.  McGrady finds himself at a crossroads of his career, having just watched his enormous contract expire, and a future with an unknown or undefined role.

There is one thing McGrady would like, and that is to play for the two-time defending NBA champion Lakers.  McGrady voiced his interest in joining Kobe Bryant and company late last month. The only question now is whether Los Angeles will meet his desire and bring him in as a free agent. 

McGrady is one of the options the Lakers may pursue to fill out their roster, but what other players currently on the market are the defending champs looking at?

SG Tracy McGrady

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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 20: Tracy McGrady #3 of the New York Knicks smiles after making a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on February 20, 2010 in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

McGrady just got finished a stretch in which he earned nearly $148 million over the last nine years with three different teams.  That is going to change significantly if he goes to the Lakers, as not only are they up against the cap, but they do not have a spot in the starting lineup for McGrady. 

Nevertheless, McGrady's desire to win should make him a good citizen off the bench and is a likely improvement over Luke Walton.  Playing alongside Kobe Bryant should also serve as a significant motivating factor for McGrady.

SF Matt Barnes

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ORLANDO, FL - MAY 18: Matt Barnes #22 of the Orlando Magic drives for a dunk attempt against the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 18, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: U

Shaun Livingston

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NEW ORLEANS - MARCH 31: Shaun Livingston #2 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball over Emeka Okafor #50 of the New Orleans Hornets at New Orleans Arena on March 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Wizards defeated the Hornets 96-91. NOTE TO USE

Shannon Brown

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 15: Shannon Brown #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in the second half of Game Six of the 2010 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at Staples Center on June 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ac

Adam Morrison

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PHOENIX - MARCH 12: Adam Morrison #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on March 12, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 102-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowle

Eart Watson

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 02: Earl Watson #2 of the Indiana Pacers shoots over Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers on March 2, 2010 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 122-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and a

Kurt Thomas

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ATLANTA - MAY 2: Forward Kurt Thomas #40 of the Milwaukee Bucks takes a break on the court during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 2,

Yes, Kurt Thomas is way up there in age, but every team needs an earth mover—someone who will scrap and play hard for rebounds. While Thomas has knees of glass at this point, he is still valuable off the bench as a player who can eat some minutes and not let the rebounding drop off while he's out there. He's a veteran player who has shown the ability to adjust to any role and team.

The Lakers currently have two power forwards on their roster (Odom, Gasol), but Thomas fills out the end of the bench with a very useful tool.

Shaquille O'Neal

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BOSTON - MAY 13: Shaquille O'Neal #33 of the Cleveland Cavaliers waits to shoot a free throw in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2010 NBA playoffs at TD Garden on May 13, 2010 in Bo