Los Angeles Lakers rumors: Are Andray Blatche, Jermaine O’Neal fits?

The Los Angeles Lakers hoped to make a big splash this offseason and even met with both New York Knicks’ forward Carmelo Anthony and the agent for Cleveland Cavaliers’ forward LeBron James, Rich Paul. After both players decided not to join the Lakers, they made a few minor moves. They earned a pick by trading for Houston Rockets’ point guard Jeremy Lin, agreed to a two-year, $2 million deal with Memphis Grizzlies’ big man Ed Davis and also won the amnesty waiver claim for Chicago Bulls’ big man Carlos Boozer. They also rewarded a few of their own players – swingman Nick Young and big man Jordan Hill – with new contracts.

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The Lakers also lost big man Pau Gaosl, who signed a three-year, $22 million deal with the Bulls and could use another big man to replace him. Both Toronto Raptors’ free agent Andray Blatche and Golden State Warriors’ free agent Jermaine O’Neal, who may opt for retirement, have been mentioned as possibilities.

Jabari Davis of Basketball Insiders see O’Neal as the better fit.

"If anything, I think the Lakers could use another legitimate rim-protector. Not sure Blatche fits that mold, so I don’t necessarily think he would be a guy they’d bring in. I know there has been mutual interest between the Lakers and O’Neal in the past. In fact, I think JO may have worked out for them prior to 2012-13 if memory serves me."

Blatche averaged 11.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 47.6% from the field, 27.8% from beyond the arc and 74.2% from the charity stripe for the Nets last season. O’Neal put up 7.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 50.4% from the field and 75.0% from the free throw line.