Los Angeles Lakers Free Agency: Signing Brandon Roy Would Prove Costly

The Los Angeles Lakers have been looking to acquire a premier point guard for years, and according to ESPN's Chris Palmer the Lakers may have the chance to acquire one in Brandon Roy.

He suggested via Twitter that Roy may be back in the league next season, and that the Lakers could be a potential suitor.

While a point guard with Roy's skills could be a huge asset for the Lakers, there's plenty of reasons not to sign him.

When Roy retired in December 2011 he cited two straight years of knee pain due to the fact that he lacks cartilage between the bones in his knees. He believed he suffered a career-ending injury and wouldn't be able to continue playing basketball. 

Roy saw his minutes and numbers decline in the 2010-2011 season where he averaged 12.2 points and 27.9 minutes per game.

Through his last full month of that season including during the playoffs he only averaged seven points in 19.9 minutes per game. This proves exactly how badly of shape his knees were in as his minutes and numbers were career-lows.

Another reason Roy could be a seen as a good fit is because people believe the Lakers can pay him a minimum veteran salary and he can give the Lakers depth off the bench. 

However, if Roy does make a comeback in the NBA teams will be offering him more than the minimum salary.

A player with Roy's ability (even with a history of injuries) would tempt teams to give him more money to acquire a superstar like Roy.

Eric Pincus of Hoopsworld broke down the Lakers' salaries for next season and shows the Lakers have a $3.1 million dollar mini-MLE (mid-level exception) for next season.

The Lakers would have to offer that for any chance to acquire Roy, and that is too risky.

For a team that needs to acquire better depth and more athleticism risking your only asset to acquire a free agent cannot be an option.

Pincus offers the following players who, depending on the market, may sign with the Lakers at the mini-MLE. They include Nick Young, Randy Foye, Delonte West, C.J. Miles, Marco Belinelli, Gerald Green and Steve Novak.

Signing a player like Nick Young can provide solid scoring off the bench, while a player like Novak would be the perfect three-point specialist that the Lakers have desperately needed to spread the floor over the last few years.

If Roy would accept a lower deal, the Lakers should pursue it.

If it takes the mini-MLE to acquire him, the Lakers need to pass.

They have too many issues right now, and taking a risk now could prove costly with only a few years of Kobe Bryant left.

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