Breaking Down What Free Agents Fit the Revamped LA Lakers Roster

General manager Mitch Kupchak has already made significant headway improving a roster that appeared destined to come up short against the Western Conference elite last season. 

Though the Los Angeles Lakers once again put together an impressive regular-season campaign, they never looked to be in especially good position to stop the likes of the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.

Inconsistent point-guard play and a thin second unit derailed an otherwise elite starting unit.

Making the deal for legendary point guard Steve Nash and signing free agent forward Antawn Jamison have already gone a long way in rectifying those weaknesses. The bench could still use some more help, especially in the backcourt and on the wing.

That help will have to come cheaply.

The Lakers can still sign players to a contract for the veteran's minimum, and the organization has yet to use its mini mid-level exception, which would translate into a deal beginning at $3 million in its first year. Kupchak has indicated the Lakers may be unwilling to make use of that exception, though, so the remainder of L.A.'s shopping season will be on a tight budget.

Here are some of the options that just might fit.

Leandro Barbosa, PG/SG

Leandro Barbosa won't land a deal that pays him the $7.6 million he made last season, but he may still be too expensive for the Los Angeles Lakers.

If the 29-year-old were willing to take a steep pay-cut to pursue a championship, however, L.A. might have an outside chance at inheriting his services. 

There's little question those services would be appreciated. Given Steve Blake's reluctance to shoot the ball and inability to create his own offense, Barbosa would be the perfect alternative in the backcourt.

His lightening quickness and penchant for pulling up and hitting perimeter shots would give the Lakers a second-unit spark-plug who would offset the offensive lurch that inevitably accompanies Kobe Bryant's rare opportunities to rest.

Matt Barnes, SF

Matt Barnes gave the Lakers about 23 minutes a game last season, and he looked pretty good in the process.

He shouldn't be relied upon to contribute much scoring, but he's an efficient shooter who won't put up too many bad shots at the very least.

More importantly, his energetic defense would once again come in handy, especially in light of Antawn Jamison's woeful inability on that end of the floor. When Metta World Peace sits down, Barnes ensures Los Angeles doesn't have to sacrifice too much defensively.

He's also a solid rebounder who'd at least partially make up for the fact that Jamison spends most of his time on the perimeter.

Derek Fisher, PG

Yes, bringing Derek Fisher back may be a bit awkward after the veteran point guard was dealt last season in order to make room for Ramon Sessions.

Nevertheless, there's little doubt the Los Angeles Lakers and their fans would welcome back the 37-year-old with open arms.

He can still hit some clutch perimeter shots, and his wealth of experience ensures he won't make too many bad decisions. More importantly, his locker-room presence is the kind of intangible quality that title contenders so often rely upon.

A reunion just might be in order after all.

Donte Greene, SF

If you don't know who Donte Greene is, don't feel too bad.

The 6'11" small forward does most of his damage on the perimeter, but he's yet to do so very efficiently in his four-year career. After making 38 percent of his three-point attempts in 2009-10, Greene's minutes declined and that long-range consistency steadily dropped to just 24 percent last season.

It goes without saying this guy isn't at the top of Los Angeles' wish-list.

Nevertheless, he'd be affordable, and he'd give the young Devin Ebanks some competition for a reserve role at the 3.

Additionally, Greene is only 24, so it's not as if he's already flamed out. A consistent role on as successful team may be exactly what he needs.

Josh Howard, SF

Josh Howard is neither a first-rate scorer nor an exceptional defender.

After his career was derailed by injury and a stint with the Washington Wizards, he's come to be pretty average. 

That doesn't mean he'd be a bad fit behind Metta World Peace. Howard can still move his feet on defense, and has a pretty solid mid-range jumper. The Lakers could do a lot worse, and there's at least reason to believe Howard is a safer bet than Devin Ebanks.

This wouldn't be the most exciting acquisition, but it would fit the profile of a safe, affordable addition to the second unit.

Tracy McGrady, SF

Imagine if the Lakers had found some way to team Tracy McGrady with Kobe Bryant before all the injuries struck.

Don't think about it for too long, though. It will never be more than a fantasy.

Still, the 33-year-old had his moments with the Atlanta Hawks last season, and there's little doubt he'd come to a contender for a dirt-cheap contract. Though he didn't take enough shots to impact the game as a scorer, he did a little bit of everything else.

The prospect of bringing something of a point-forward off the bench might intrigue the Lakers. TMac could facilitate the second unit's offense get the ball to spot-up shooters like Steve Blake and Antawn Jamison.

Roger Mason, Jr., SG

According to The Washington Post's Michael Lee, the Lakers have already indicated some interest in sharpshooter Roger Mason Jr.

Mason has had his ups and downs over the years, but there's no question he can shoot and play reasonably good defense. He can also take on some ball-handling duties, but he doesn't qualify as much of a slasher or distributor.

Ultimately, it's hard to imagine Mason providing Los Angeles with more than some insurance in the event of backcourt injuries.

There's certainly nothing wrong with having some of that.

Nate Robinson, PG

Nate Robinson is still one of the league's most exciting bench scorers, but the 31-year-old is far removed from the kind of production he ever-so-briefly yielded in his breakout years with the New York Knicks.

Still, Robinson quietly made a comeback last season with the Golden State Warriors and scored over 11 points a game in limited action.

The rationale for adding Robinson mirrors the logic behind bringing Leandro Barbosa aboard.

The Lakers could use a backcourt scorer who will look for his own offense, a more assertive complement to Steve Blake. Robinson wouldn't bring much else to the table, but he can still do one thing well. 

Brandon Rush, G/F

Chances are the Los Angeles Lakers wouldn't be able to acquire Brandon Rush absent some kind of sign-and-trade arrangement.

The 6'6" swingman made just under $3 million last season, but he could be in the market for a raise after shooting a career-high 50 percent from the field and 45 percent from beyond the arc. He also happens to be a restricted free agent, and the Lakers can't exactly force the issue with the Golden State Warriors given their lack of available resources.

Still, the Lakers' front office can make things happen when it puts its mind to it, and Rush would be a dangerous sixth man behind Kobe Bryant and Metta World Peace.

Sam Young, SF

Sam Young's production tapered off significantly in a third season that saw him split time between the Memphis Grizzlies and Philadelphia 76ers.

Prior to that, though, he averaged over seven points per contest in each of this first two campaigns and did so pretty efficiently.

Young can create some offense for himself off the bench, and he's not a bad defender. He could once again thrive in the kind of limited role Matt Barnes occupied last season, and he'd give the Lakers a physically stronger alternative to Devin Ebanks.

Like a number of the players on this list, there's nothing glamorous about the guy, but such is life as a bargain shopper.