NBA Free Agents: 10 Savvy Signings LA Lakers Can Make Without Breaking the Bank

When one looks at the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster, it is evident that the most significant thing that the team is missing is a solid bench.

While the starting lineup is certainly effective, bench players like Steve Blake, Darius Morris, Devin Ebanks, Matt Barnes and Andrew Goudelock will not cut it.

This year’s free-agent class is mediocre, but there are still a few players on the market who can fill some of the Lakers’ needs.

Many of the available free agents are relatively cheap, which is good for a team that doesn’t have much to spend.

Here, I compiled a list of 10 free agents the Lakers can sign without breaking the bank.

Though many on the list don’t have big names, they can truly improve the Lakers’ bench.

Note: Originally, Anthony Parker and Delonte West were on the list. However, they were replaced because each has been recently signed by different teams.

Earl Boykins

While Derek Fisher has been a productive starting point guard over the years, his time is almost over.

Unfortunately, however, the Lakers lack effective backup point guards—Steve Blake played terribly last year, and Darius Morris is too young to play significant minutes.

In order to improve their status at point guard, the Lakers can sign veteran Earl Boykins.

While Boykins isn’t a very attractive commodity, he can provide a bigger boost off the bench than Steve Blake and Darius Morris.

Boykins is an adequate passer who can penetrate and shoot—he made 38 percent of his threes last season.

Boykins will not cost much, either. Last season, he made $854,389.

After 12 seasons in the league, there is no doubt that Boykins will want to win a championship now.

Willie Green

Behind Kobe Bryant, the Lakers don’t have much depth at the shooting guard position—rookie Andrew Goudelock and Jason Kapono, who plays more at the small forward position, aren’t adequate.

Willie Green is the kind of player who can come off the bench and score effectively. While he doesn’t have to, he is capable of scoring close to 40 in a game, which he has done once in his career.

A veteran, Green will not ask for much money-wise—it seems that, at this point, all he wants to do is win.

Shawne Williams

Shawne Williams is another free agent who can score off the bench.

Williams can do one thing really well: shoot from the three-point line. Last season, he made over 40 percent of his threes, and he’ll get plenty of opportunities with Andrew Bynum (or Dwight Howard) and Pau Gasol dominating in the paint.

Fortunately, the Lakers won’t have to break the bank with Williams, as he made $854,389 last season.

Williams has received an offer to stay with the Knicks for another year, but being a part of the storied Lakers franchise is enticing.

Michael Redd

Michael Redd has played in only 61 games the past three seasons because of knee injuries.

While he was once a premier scorer in the league, Redd’s production has decreased. However, he is worth the risk for the Lakers.

The Lakers don’t need Redd to be dominant—they need him to come off the bench and make jump shots.

If Redd decides to take a serious pay cut to be on a contending team, I can see him being very effective.

Jamario Moon

Off the bench, Jamario Moon can be a fill-in for former Laker Shannon Brown.

While he certainly won’t be as good as Brown, Moon can provide some athleticism and shooting for the Lakers.

Maurice Evans

Maurice Evans is a veteran who has been a solid role player over his career.

Last season, for the Washington Wizards, he averaged a respectable 9.7 PPG in limited playing time. In addition, he is a good three-point shooter, averaging 36 percent from the three-point line in his career.

If Evans can continue being a productive glue guy, he'll help the Lakers succeed.

Al Thornton

During the 2008-09 season, Al Thornton averaged 16.8 PPG.

However, injuries have hampered Thornton’s production over the past couple seasons.

Thornton, if signed by the Lakers, can score at the small forward position and, at times, at power forward.

In this way, he can be the new Lamar Odom, although surely not as good.

Leon Powe

Leon Powe was once a very attractive commodity in the league.

However, after a few injuries, Powe’s production has decreased.

The Lakers desperately need a backup power forward after trading Lamar Odom. If Powe can stay healthy, he can fill this void.

He’ll do a lot of the dirty work around the rim, rebounding and defending.

He’s also capable of providing a burst offensively as he did for the Celtics in 2008.

Powe will not be a costly signing for the Lakers—he earned $201,033 last season.

Reggie Evans

While Reggie Evans is known as one of the dirtiest players in the NBA, he is a very good rebounder—he averaged 11.5 per game for the Toronto Raptors last season.

By signing Evans, the Lakers will have much improved depth at the power forward position with a guy who can rebound and defend.

Evans earned $5 million last season, and he has garnered interest from other teams such as the Boston Celtics.

Because of this, he may be more difficult to sign to a cheaper contract, but the Lakers should try their best to pursue him.

Joel Przybilla

According to the depth chart, the Lakers have no one to play center other than Andrew Bynum.

There aren’t a lot of free-agent centers who are still available and are willing to sign for a low amount of money.

A possibility, however, is Joel Przybilla.

While Przybilla has stated that he won’t sign with a team until after Christmas, the Lakers should pursue him.  

Although he’s not the player he used to be, Przybilla is a 7’1” big body who can rebound and defend.