Already boasting a dynamic scoring trio of Nash, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, the Los Angeles Lakers could be looking to add scoring off the bench in the form of free agent Leandro Barbosa.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, Barbosa has caught the interest of the Lakers:
Game of the day now: Brazil v Russia. Hearing out of Brazil camp that they believe Lakers have interest in free-agent Leandro Barbosa
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) August 2, 2012 Barbosa would be a perfect fit for the Lakers, who are in need of a shooter off the bench. He's coming off of a season that saw him average 10.5 PPG with the Indiana Pacers and the Toronto Raptors.
The 29-year-old shooting guard possesses great speed and is good friends with Lakers PG Steve Nash, as the two played together in Phoenix, which is undoubtedly a nice added bonus.
It's no wonder that Barbosa had his best years while playing alongside Nash, averaging 12.9 PPG with Nash as his point guard.
Aside from his scoring abilities and speed on the court, Barbosa would supply the Lakers with a much-needed jolt off the bench from the sixth man position.
L.A.'s bench is looking pretty bleak right now and Barbosa is talented enough to fill in at both the 1 and 2 spots when Nash or Bryant need to rest.
As Kurt Helin of NBC Sports writes, "Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak has said that he is only signing players for the veteran minimum the rest of the way out. He’s certainly not going to break that plan for Barbosa."
Helin is absolutely right. Kupchak isn't going to break his plan on Barbosa and he may not have to.
GMs around the league have take...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
