Kenyon Martin could add toughness and depth to an already solid Los Angeles Lakers frontcourt. Per Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated, the Lakers are among a few teams that have shown interest in Martin.
Amick writes that many of Martin's peers may have taken his leverage away by taking signing deals. That could force Martin to sign with a team in the very near future, and you'd have to think the Lakers will be high on his list.
After all, he did play last season in the same building with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Lakers already have Antawn Jamison, Metta World Peace, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Jordan Hill, but Martin's toughness and veteran leadership could be an asset. This could especially be the case in the postseason, which is where the Lakers really want to shine.
Gasol is one of the game's most skilled big men, but he has been criticized for not playing physical. In spots, Martin could provide that dynamic for the Lakers. If there is one thing K-Mart has never been called, it's soft.
If Gasol or Bynum get in early foul trouble against a solid low-post threat, Martin would be a solid low-post defender Mike Brown can turn to in his starters' stead.
Martin is respected by officials, and that is huge in being allowed to play physical with the NBA's best big men.
The Lakers still need some depth in the backcourt, and there seems to be mutual interest with Jodie Meeks, per Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Times.
But Meeks' agent, David Bauman, insists his client won't take the veteran' minimum. Medina quotes him: "We're happy to talk, but we're not talking minimum for a guy like Jodie. He'll get more than the minimum wherever he signs."
This could be a hiccup, and it could lead to Meeks signing with a lesser team for more money.
If the Lake Show can secure these two late free-agent signings, they will only be adding depth to a strong team. Even without a trade for Dwight Howard, no team in the NBA improved more than the Lakers, and there are still more possibilities.
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