Lakers Rumors: Latest Buzz on Potential Free-Agent Signings and More

Despite having a tough offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers are still one of the league’s most popular teams and many are expecting them to make some moves to compete during the 2013-14 campaign.

Although Dwight Howard defected to the Houston Rockets, Metta World Peace was cut loose via the amnesty clause and Kobe Bryant is coming off a devastating Achilles injury at the advanced age of 34, the Lakers aren’t far off from being a decent team next season.

Steve Nash and Pau Gasol are back and still hungry for a title while a host of new faces—such as Chris Kaman and Nick Young—are hoping to aid in that cause.

Let’s take a look at who else the Lakers are looking at signing and more in Tuesday’s L.A.-centric rumor roundup.

Lamar Odom Back in the Fold?

There’s been some talk that Lamar Odom, the versatile forward who came off the bench to help guide the Lakers to back-to-back championships in 2009-09 and 2009-10, could be rejoining the club in the near future.

According to Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register, Odom has expressed some interest in returning to his former team. However, the L.A. brass still isn’t sure that he is the right piece at this juncture.

Since leaving the Lakers prior to the 2011-12 campaign, Odom has struggled mightily.

He has averaged just 5.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists in two seasons, including one tumultuous one with the Dallas Mavericks and a mediocre revival with the rival Los Angeles Clippers.

Those numbers pale in comparison to the 13.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists Odom averaged during his seven seasons with the Lakers.

At 33 years old, Odom could still have something left in the tank, but needs to display the desire and passion for the game he had back when he was a champion.

If he could do that, the Lakers would definitely have a need for his services.

Austin Daye on the Radar

After getting picked No. 15 overall in the 2009 NBA draft, Austin Daye had a mediocre start to his career with the Detroit Pistons and for part of a season with the Memphis Grizzlies.

During that four-season span, Daye averaged 5.6 points and 2.8 rebounds. He never lived up to his potential as a lengthy, versatile forward and often struggled so poorly on defense that it was practically an act of sabotage to put him on the court against bigger, stronger opponents.

Despite his struggles, the Lakers are just one suitor that is reportedly eyeing Daye as a possible reclamation project.

According to Hoopsworld's  Alex Kennedy, Los Angeles has worked the former Gonzaga star out and is considering adding him to the roster. If he ever reaches his ceiling, he could be a serviceable rotation player and possible starter in the NBA.

Considering the Lakers have little to lose and everything to gain with these deep-bench signings, they may as well swing for the fences and hope to hit a home run with Daye.