According to Ken Berger of CBS Sports, the Lakers are one of a few teams interested in veteran forward Lou Amundson, who was with the Minnesota Timberwolves before being waived on February 8. In 20 games, Amundson was averaging 1.6 points and 2.4 rebounds per contest.
Those numbers are not what one would call good, but Amundson simply was unable to crack Minnesota's rotation. It was not his fault by any means, so he deserves a fresh start with a team that will give him a fair chance. Fortunately, the Lakers are in such a position to do just that.
Amundson does not have as much size as Gasol, standing just 6'9", 225 pounds, but his focus and intensity on the defensive side speaks for itself. This is the same man who averaged 14.3 points and 8.6 rebounds in his final season at UNLV, and his low post game has always been solid since he made his NBA debut in 2007.
The former Runnin' Rebel has not put up those kinds of numbers on the professional level, but he still has a reputation as one of the game's most underrated defenders. He won't score a lot of points or get a ton of rebounds, but he'll put in the same strong effort on defense whenever called upon.
Amundson's per 36 numbers are also respectable, with career marks of 10.6 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. He isn't going to be as strong a scorer or as dominant a low post presence as Gasol, but Los Angeles needs a viable body to come off the bench until the Spanish seven-footer's foot is healed.
Just the same, the Lakers are not guaranteed to sign Amundson, nor anyone. Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times reports that head coach Mike D...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
