Following the knee injury to Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers may begin to scour the free agent market for a point guard that can help fill the void in the short-term. Head coach Mike D’Antoni said the following on Thursday following the news of Bryant’s injury via Eric Pincus of the L.A. Times:
“We’ll talk with” General Manager Mitch Kupchak, said Coach Mike D’Antoni after practice on Thursday. “We’re looking but we don’t want to just get anybody.”
But then the Lakers coach admitted the Lakers might have to pick up a point guard.
“That’s probably the next step,” he said.
With the one open roster spot, as the result of the team parting ways with rookie Elias Harris last month, the Lakers may sign a point guard to a non-guaranteed contract. Although a 10-day contract may seem more practical with Jordan Farmar’s return right around the corner, NBA teams can’t sign players to those short-term deals until Jan. 6.
The team could consider a few familiar faces to fill the void with Shannon Brown, Chris Duhon and Darius Morris on a short list of candidates. Other veteran possibilities could be Leandro Barbosa, Jamaal Tinsley, Sebastian Telfair and Rodrigue Beaubois.
Although the Lakers showing any sign of desperation or urgency to make a move in free agency or via trade, it’s safe to say Bryant’s injury has forced Kupchak’s hand. The Lakers have been reluctant to make any kind of move this season in order to avoid adding to luxury tax or taking on more salary, but the writing is on the wall in Los Angeles and something has to be done in order to stop the bleeding.
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