NBA Free Agents 2011: 5 Players the LA Lakers Should Pursue

Last season, the Los Angeles Lakers were poised to do what few teams have ever done in basketball or in sport—win three straight titles.

So much for that.

With the sweep of a broom at the hands of the eventual champions Dallas Mavericks, all Laker hopes at a coveted 17th NBA championship were brushed into the waste bin.

But last season is last season.

For Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, it's time to get back on the horse and look for that player on the free-agent market that can return the Lakers to their championship form.

Here's your starting point, Mitch—a list of the top 5 free agents that would make the Lakers the title favorite.

What the Lakers Need To Get over the Hump

What became obvious from the Dallas Mavericks' sweep of the defending champions were these glaring weaknesses:

1) Perimeter defense

2) Outside Shooting

3) Bench Scoring

Essentially, upgrades across the line in the mid-to-backcourt are necessary. The frontcourt—regarded as one of the deepest in the league—was not the weak link last season.

How best to address these problems?

Acknowledging the Lakers have a seriously aging roster, age is not the issue. After all, the Dallas Mavericks were on average older than the Lakers and still handed it to LA during the playoffs.

Will more athleticism get the Lakers over the hump? Sure—athleticism is always welcome on any roster. But as Lakers management showed during the NBA draft by skipping over the most athletic player in the draft Travis Leslie not once, but twice, athleticism is not a cure-all.

Honorable Mention

The following players are free agents that can certainly help the Lakers next season and are worthy of mention:

Jamal Crawford—unbelievable scorer with serious three-point range. Liability on defense. Not useful on the floor if he's not scoring.

J.R. Smith—very similar to Jamal; great range and scoring ability but is entirely absent on defense.

Aaron Brooks—speedy point guard who can score and run the break. Not a great defender.

JJ Barea—fast as lightning; effective scorer. Diminutive size makes him a risk on defense.

TJ Ford—athletic and talented scorer. Not a good distributor. Average defender.

These players would be fine additions to the Lakers roster and could help tremendously. But all that matters in LA are titles and—as the saying goes—"defense wins championships." The Lakers need a player who can provide consistent scoring as well as lock-down defense.

Here are the free agents that can help Kobe and the rest of the squad hoist the title once again.

5. Shane Battier

A classic arch enemy to No. 24, Shane Battier has been giving Laker fans fits for years.

You can be sure that Battier's relentless defense and constant work ethic has won the praise of Kobe Bryant—even if he's consistently seeing Shane's palm every time they play.

Battier plays exceptional perimeter and on-the-ball defense. He's also made a living off the corner three-point shot and can hit the long ball during crunch time.

Not an entirely explosive scorer, Battier more than makes up for his lack of scoring with his ability to guard a team's best player. He is a work horse and never gives up on the defensive side of the ball.

Shane could play amongst the first unit and turn the Lakers starting five into an elite perimeter defensive team. Or Shane could find his place running with the second unit and give immediate stability to a wavering bench.

Kobe has been notorious for recruiting guys who embrace the daunting task of being the other team's "Kobe Stopper." First, it was Ron Artest, then it was Raja Bell, then Matt Barnes and most recently Mickael Pietrus.

So Kobe's probably already made the pitch to Shane. Time for Shane to answer the call and step on over to the other side.

4. Mario Chalmers

Last season, 25-year-old Mario Chalmers showed basketball fans what he's truly capable of in the NBA—aggressive in-your-face defense and a sweet stroke from beyond the arc.

A career 35 percent three-point shooter, Chalmers proved he can hit the big shot when it counts—firing at a 38 percent clip from downtown during the 2011 NBA Playoffs. 

This big shot making ability was no more evident than in his 2008 NCAA championship title run with Kansas—hitting one of the biggest shots in the Final Four in the last 20 years.

On the Lakers, Chalmers would solve the defensive puzzle at the point guard position—something they struggled with all of last season.

While Derek Fisher might continue to start next year, it would be Chalmers that sticks like glue onto opposing point guards down the stretch of a game.

Chalmers was extended a qualifying offer this offseason, making the budding star a restricted free agent. But with the Miami Heat needing to fill out their roster more than the Lakers, owner Jerry Buss could throw big bucks at Chalmers in an effort to steal him from the current Vegas favorites to win next year's title.

What a shot across the bow that would be to LeBron and Co.

3. Arron Afflalo

Arron Afflalo may be the most well-rounded guard to hit the market as a free agent this offseason.

A 6'5'' combo guard from UCLA, Afflalo gives you everything—tough defense, scoring ability, long-distance range, speed, quickness and agility.

And when you learn of the kid's workout regime this offseason—five to six hours per day, five days a week—look out, World. Afflalo is going to take his game—in his words—to a whole new level next season.

The Denver Nuggets have already said they intend to resign the restricted free agent this offseason. But you can't count on the salary cap restrictions of an old collective bargaining agreement (CBA) looking anything like the new salary cap restrictions once the lockout is ended, meaning the Lakers could strike and strike quick to land this coveted backcourt baller.

Afflalo's defense and scoring ability would be an upgrade to either the Lakers starting five or the bench unit.

He gives you a variety of defensive looks—capable of guarding an agile point guard, a scoring shooting guard, or even an opposing small forward.

The biggest challenge the Lakers may face on their road to the NBA Finals next season would be stopping speedy playmakers, like Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul or Ty Lawson.

With Arron Afflalo donning the purple and gold, the Lakers will be covered.

2. Caron Butler

Former Laker Caron Butler finally got his championship ring last season with the Dallas Mavericks. It's too bad he had to earn it from the sidelines after season-ending knee surgery.

This time around, Caron will be looking to make a major contribution on the court in his quest for a second title. What better place to start that quest than returning to Los Angeles.

Caron is an elite all-around player. He's a great scorer, a willing passer, a strong defender, a good rebounder—there is nothing this guy can't do.

Ron Artest's starting role might be threatened by the arrival of Caron—but that's not why the Lakers should sign him.

Caron could be that other superstar coming off the bench to ensure there is no drop off in competitiveness when the second unit enters the game.

In fact, a second unit of Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Matt Barnes, a rediscovered Steve Blake and the insertion of either Pau Gasol or Andrew Bynum could turn the Lakers woeful bench into a seriously wicked five-man lineup.

No let up for the opposing team—the second unit brings as much fire as the first unit. It worked for Dallas last season—here's hoping it can carry over to Los Angeles with Caron in tow.

1. Nick Young

A homecoming for Los Angeles native and former USC Trojan Nick Young would surely move the Lakers past Miami as the title favorite next year.

Coming off a breakout season in which he averaged 17.4 points per game, Nick Young would be that consistent point producer the Lakers are sorely lacking in their second unit.

Nick's got fantastic range, shoots the three-ball at a career 38 percent clip, creates his own shot and provides great effort and length on defense.

Nick would fit nicely as Kobe Bryant's backup and is perfect to serve in a Lamar Odom "come off the bench" type role.

Given Nick's age and burgeoning game, he gets the slight edge over Caron Butler who is recovering from knee surgery. The two share similar styles—but Nick is a sheer killer when it comes to scoring.

And for whatever reason, Nick turns it on when he plays against the Lakers—dropping 21, 30 and 22 points respectively during his last three meetings against LA.

It's not crazy to think that he would continue lighting up the scoreboard playing for—not against—the Lakeshow.

Instead of hitting 360 layups on Lamar Odom, come join your new pal in your own backyard, Nick, and make your triumphant return to Los Angeles a championship one.