The news surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers has slowed down considerably recently with the storied NBA franchise reluctant to make any more moves in free agency with a trade for Dwight Howard still in limbo. Howard being dealt to the Lakers is still a possibility, but a timetable still has yet to be set for this blockbuster trade.
As the Lakers’ front office awaits the outcome of the Howard saga, a priority for the team moving forward is continuing to upgrade the bench. One glaring weakness on the current roster is at shooting guard. With no viable option behind Kobe Bryant, the Lakers are exploring free agent options to bring in a guard.
Over the past few weeks, a few names have emerged as potential targets for the Lakers with Kenyon Martin, Leandro Barbosa and Jodie Meeks potentially at the top of the list. Unfortunately, all of these free agents may be demanding more money than the Lakers are willing to offer.
Reportedly, GM Mitch Kupchak might be open to other possibilities with the team working out Rashad McCants and Patrick Beverley according to HoopsHype.com via Twitter:
The Los Angeles Lakers are working out Rashad McCants and Patrick Beverley today, one source told HoopsHype. … sulia.com/c/basketball/f…
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) August 7, 2012
Neither one of these players is game-changer for the Lakers in comparison to Barbosa, Martin or Meeks, but McCants and Beverley may be amongst the team’s limited options moving forward.
McCants is the only one of the two players that is actually well known. Despite a successful career in college with North Carolina, McCants wasn’t able to make lasting impact on the NBA level after four years in the league with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings.
During his four years with the T’Wolves and Kings, McCants averaged 10.0 points per game while shooting 43.1 percent from the field. The former Tar Heels standout had a breakout year during the 2007-08 season, averaging 14.9 points per game and shooting 40 percent from three-point range.
Back in 2009, the Lakers drafted Beverley with the 42nd pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. Despite being drafted by the Lakers, the point guard decided to continue playing overseas with BC Dnipro in Ukraine.
Since that time Beverley has played with Olympiacos Piraeus in Greece and Spartak St. Petersburg in Russia. Beverley also signed with the Miami Heat in 2010, but was waived shortly after training camp.
In 2012, Beverley earned MVP and All-First Team honors in the Eurocup for Spartak.
Check out Beverley’s highlights during his MVP season overseas below.
httpvhd://youtu.be/XbNQ2jmZnRU
