L.A. Lakers: Impact Veteran Free Agents Who Would Turn Lakers into Contenders

The Los Angeles Lakers are in danger of becoming just another team in the Western Conference. After again being ousted in the second round of the NBA playoffs, LA is facing another offseason of questions.

Since LA has only one draft pick this summer (the final selection, No. 60 overall), they will need to retool through free agency.

Surely signing an impact free agent this offseason would keep the Lakers among the NBA's elite. 

With that being said, let's take a closer look at five impact veteran free agents at every position who would turn the Lakeshow back into a contender.

Steve Nash, PG

The NBA's second-leading assist man in 2011-12, Steve Nash will be a free agent this offseason. Nash is 38 years old, but has made it clear that he would like to play at least three more seasons until he surpasses age 40. 

Though LA will struggle to present Nash with a lucrative deal considering they have some huge contracts on their books already, they could move Pau Gasol's and axe the $19 million he is owed next season, and offer Nash a solid deal with the potential of playing for a championship. 

DeShawn Stevenson, SG

DeShawn Stevenson was an underrated asset for the Dallas Mavericks in 2011 when they won the NBA championship. Stevenson can knock down a three-pointer and defend the opposition's best player without complaint. 

Stevenson will be a free agent this offseason and is only 31. If the Brooklyn Nets don't pursue him then the Lakers would be wise to pounce on the outspoken shooting guard. 

Antawn Jamison, SF

Antawn Jamison will turn 36 this June and become a free agent. Jamison made $15 million last season in the final year of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Jamison can still play at a high level; he averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game last season, playing in all but one of Cleveland's regular season contests.

The shot at playing for a contender would certainly excite a veteran like Jamison, who would most likely sign a favorable deal in exchange for the chance to play in Hollywood for an elusive NBA title. 

Kenyon Martin, PF

An 11-year NBA veteran, Kenyon Martin provides invaluable defensive effort as one of the most intelligent defensive-minded big men in basketball. Martin is 34 and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer; he wouldn't have to go far to join the Lakers across town. 

Martin could bolster LA's interior defense, provide a shot-blocking threat and help out on the glass. Martin is the definition of a team player, someone who doesn't require a lot of attention or money (he made $2.5 million last season with the LA Clippers).

Chris Kaman, C

New Orleans Hornets center Chris Kaman is an unrestricted free agent this offseason and could be a potential replacement for Pau Gasol in the middle. Kaman is a legitimate seven-footer, who averaged 13.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game last season.

Kaman has been unhappy in the Big Easy ever since being traded from the LA Clippers in a trade that involved Chris Paul before the regular season began following the lockout. 

Follow Patrick Clarke on Twitter for everything NBA.