LA Lakers: 10 Realistic NBA Free Agents That Could Strengthen the Second Unit

The Los Angeles Lakers are going to have to get creative with their plans in free agency with a payroll that currently projects to sit at over $90 million in 2011-12.

If the team is serious about some possible additions from the outside, there's no doubt that they're going to have to facilitate some deals in an effort to free up some financial flexibility.

While most are clamoring for the team to target an upgrade at the point guard spot, that is not the only area on the roster where the Lakers could use some help.

10. Craig Smith, Power Forward

Smith has had success with the Clippers over the last couple of seasons as a reserve big man off the bench, and that's the same type of role he would play for the Lakers.

Although he struggled to stay healthy last season, Smith had never dealt with injury problems previously, so that shouldn't cost him any of his appeal on the open market. 

He doesn't have much of an offensive game to speak of, but he is a banger around the rim who isn't afraid to clean up the glass, and that's exactly what the Los Angeles second unit was frequently missing last season.

9. Reggie Williams, Small Forward

Williams is going to be a tough get for the Lakers as a restricted free agent, but he's precisely the type of swingman the club should be looking at as they attempt to re-vamp the offensive approach.

Despite going undrafted, Williams has shown flashes of being a very prominent scorer when given the opportunity, and he could really thrive with an increased role.

Although the team has Luke Walton and Matt Barnes to back up Ron Artest, adding someone in Williams' mold wouldn't be the worst idea as the team struggles to get offensive production from the small forward spot.

8. Jeff Foster, Center

Last season, the Lakers looked like they were going to be set on paper when they inked veteran center Theo Ratliff to a one-year deal to serve as a backup to Andrew Bynum.

However, that didn't exactly work out as anticipated.

Although Foster is another veteran center, he has been consistently productive over the course of his career and would be capable of playing 15-18 minutes nightly.

Although he wouldn't be asked to play a major role, Foster's leadership would mesh well with the current construction of the team as they attempt to keep their championship window open. 

7. Leon Powe, Power Forward

Powe has struggled to gain a meaningful spot in a team's rotation since he blew out his knee, but it's about time the Lakers gambled on a guy that has burned them in the past.

Although he's slightly undersized, Powe has shown a willingness to assert himself against much taller competition and has been successful in doing so.

He's not going to score be a standout on the stat sheet, but he'll play any role that's asked of him by the team in an effort to consistently win, and that's the type of player that the team needs to pursue.

6. Josh Powell, Power Forward

Powell previously enjoyed some success with the Lakers, but after the team took a pass on him last season, he wound up playing on a one-year deal with the Hawks.

It's tough to find a power forward with the type of range that Powell possesses, and he doesn't get enough credit for his ability to stretch the floor.

Although he's certainly not a defensively oriented player, Powell will provide surprising offensive contributions when given the opportunity and shoots it fairly well from the line for someone of his size.

5. Kurt Thomas, Center

Thomas is going to be a highly attractive asset for teams looking for a productive backup center that will come inexpensively, and the Lakers are sure to be at the forefront of that list.

Despite the fact that he's the oldest player currently in the NBA, Thomas has proven to remain productive in every stop of his career and he even started almost half of the games last season for the Bulls.

He'd be a tremendous get for a Los Angeles team that sorely missed a capable backup center at times last season, and he would be a major addition to the club's second unit.

4. Michael Redd, Shooting Guard

There has been some talk about the possibility of Redd winding up with a contender in the Eastern Conference, but let's not seal his fate just yet.

After recovering from back-to-back tears of his ACL, there's no doubt that the ultimate goal for the shooting guard is to win a championship, but he'll likely have more than just one option on the table in an effort to achieve that goal.

The Lakers really lacked a scorer in the second unit last season, and a one-year deal would be mutually beneficial as Redd could re-build his stock around the league and prove to be instrumental off the bench in the quest of another championship for Los Angeles.

3. T.J. Ford, Point Guard

The need to upgrade at the point position has been an obvious one for the Lakers since the regular season began last year, and it's time to finally address it.

While they likely won't be able to swing a major change, Ford should come rather inexpensive after he rotted at the end of the Pacers bench and rarely saw the court.

He's just 28 years old, so he should still have some serviceable play left in him, and if Ford is willing to take the veteran's minimum in an effort to pursue a championship and extended playing time, Los Angeles could be the right fit for him.

2. Sebastian Telfair, Point Guard

Another point guard that the Lakers could kick the tires on, Telfair's star has really faded since being hyped up alongside LeBron James as a premier high school talent.

Drafted 13th overall by Portland back in 2004, Telfair has played with five clubs in his seven seasons in the league, but joining the Lakers would be his smartest move to date.

Considering that he's just 26 years old, Telfair should have plenty of potential left in the tank and could finally blossom into something serviceable under the right tutelage that he'd undoubtedly receive in Los Angeles.

1. Tracy McGrady, Shooting Guard

When McGrady tweeted this image with a simple "yes or no" caption to accompany it, the Internet was set ablaze with rumors that the veteran was considering joining the Lakers for the upcoming season.

Although he hasn't officially expressed an interest in playing for the team, there has been a fair amount of speculative thought recently as to how the Lakers could stand to improve by adding a player like T-Mac.

Proving that he was finally healthy, McGrady played a variety of positions for the Pistons last season, and that type of versatility off of the Los Angeles bench was an element that was sorely missed last season.

He would add an intriguing option to a team that's hopeful of re-claiming their spot atop the NBA, and there's no doubt that he'd provide great value to the Lakers should the team decide to go after him.