Lakers Rumors: LA’s Lack of Interest in Raja Bell Good for Team Chemistry

As much turmoil as the Los Angeles Lakers have endured this season, bringing in another player in an effort to upgrade the roster was likely to further complicate matters. That's why the rumored lack of interest in veteran shooting guard Raja Bell was a positive development for the team's chemistry.

ESPN's Marc Stein indicated that the Lakers were not a likely destination for Bell despite being an ideal fit and speculated in weeks prior to be his prospective landing spot.



This makes sense, because the Lakers already have heavy financial commitments to stars Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Steve Nash and the injured Pau Gasol. It's also unclear as to what Bell would bring to the table in the first place.

The 36-year-old, who was getting paid $3.48 million while not playing, was unable to negotiate a contract buyout with the Utah Jazz before the 11:59 p.m. March 1 deadline. Bell has been working out in Florida during the regular season, having not made an appearance for Utah all year.

That certainly didn't make things easy during the process. Senior vice president Kevin O'Connor indicated that the Jazz made a minimum offer from the start but that Bell didn't take it (h/t Salt Lake Tribune).

As RealGM.com points out, LA or any other suitor would have had to make up the difference in salary that Bell would have lost in the buyout. As Stein foresaw, the Lakers ultimately didn't follow through.

With his combination of age and lack of time on an NBA court this season, it's hard to fathom that Bell could have stepped in right away and been an instant impact player off the bench.



The Lake Show has won four out of five contests since the All-Star break and is 12-4 in its past 16 games. LA has finally settled into a consistent starting five, albeit without the services of Gasol, who has been a cornerstone for the Lakers for years.

Head coach Mark D'Antoni's offense is ...