LA Lakers Rumors: Antawn Jamison Should Sign for a Title Instead of Cash

Antawn Jamison is one of the best free agents left on the board, and even though the power forward is now 36 years old, he has a chance to make bank this summer. He also has a chance to go win a title.  

Yahoo! Sports' Marc J. Spears tweets that Jamison has a number of options as he attempts to make the most important decision of his summer: 

"

Cavs have had talks on possible sign&trade sending Antawn Jamison to Nets,sources tell Y! Lakers can only offer minimum. GS & CHA in mix too

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 12, 2012"

According to David Scott of the Charlotte Observer, Jamison is strongly considering going to the rebuilding Charlotte Bobcats and playing in his hometown. 

This wouldn't be a bad idea at all. He'd be a local hero, especially if he started to help the Bobcats actually win a few games. He could continue to play lackluster defense while focusing all his contributions on the offensive end. 

Without many other strong scoring options, Jamison may even be able to average 20 points per game for the first time since the 2009-2010 season with the Washington Wizards. 

However, there's one thing that's obviously missing from Jamison's NBA resume. The Charlotte native has been named the Sixth Man of the Year, he's made All-Star teams, he's played for the US National Team, but he hasn't won a title. 

That's why Jamison is considering the Bobcats, the local Golden State Warriors in an attempt to be close to his children during the school year and a host of title contenders. 

Staying on the West Coast and joining forces with the quartet of stars playing for the Los Angeles Lakers would be the best option at this point in his career. Jamison doesn't have too many years of service left in the NBA and can afford to chase a championship. 

Jamison wouldn't get the glory or the starting job. He wouldn't be owned in many fantasy leagues and he most certainly wouldn't be averaging 20 points per game. 

However, putting on the purple and gold jersey gives him a chance to play for a contender, one almost guaranteed to help him end his two-year postseason drought. 

To do so, he'd have to take a massive (maybe an understatement) pay cut. Jamison has made quite a bit of money in his career and some decent financial planning will have left him in good position to support his family after he's hung up the sneakers. 

Now, it's time to forget about the greenbacks and dream of the Larry O'Brien Trophy. 

Jamison is faced with the trio of options that so many free agents are stuck with: money, fun or wins. 

I know which I'd choose after proving to the world that I could play at a high level without complaint since the 1998-1999 season.