The signings of Steve Blake, Theo Ratliff, and Matt Barnes appeared to signal an end to free agency for the Los Angeles Lakers, but events which transpired over the last two days may speak to the contrary.
Recent reports have said the New York Knicks are interested in acquiring Lakers guard Shannon Brown, and Sasha Vujacic could be on the trading block in an attempt to dump his guaranteed contract.
If both players leave, they would join Jordan Farmar and Josh Powell in departing the Lakers this offseason, and their absence would potentially open more roster spots on the team.
Rookies Derrick Caracter and Devin Ebanks look like safe bets to make the team, but Brown and Vujacic's departure would leave Matt Barnes as the only capable backup behind Kobe Bryant unless Tracy McGrady is still an option.
General manager Mitch Kupchak has been silent thus far about any intentions to sign McGrady, but if these recent rumors are true, they could be the clearest indication yet that Kupchak is exploring this option.
Although the Lakers are said to have been in talks with the Minnesota Timberwolves concerning Vujacic, the Knicks are an intriguing option considering their interest in Brown.
The Lakers could theoretically offer Brown and Vujacic to the Knicks in exchange for McGrady, and avoid the subsequent hit to their salary cap which is already $22 million over the limit.
McGrady is not necessarily an essential piece to the Lakers' quest for a three-peat, but assuming he is healthy, he does have a myriad of talents that would be very helpful along the journey.
The need for a secondary scorer from the perimeter is one of the few weaknesses the Lakers may have right now, because beyond Bryant there are few players on the roster who can create their own offense.
McGrady may not have the same physical skills from seasons past, but his ability to get ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
