Los Angeles Lakers rumors: Could Lakers pursue Andray Blatche, Jermaine O’Neal?
Plenty of teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, would love to add a veteran big man to their roster and there are couple of players who can still go on the market. Both Golden State Warriors’ free agent center Jermaine O’Neal and Brooklyn Nets’ free agent big man Andray Blatche contributed for playoff teams last season.
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There has been talk the Lakers want to add a veteran big but Jabari Davis of Basketball Insiders doesn’t see either as a great fit in Los Angeles.
"Blatche remains someone that should garner some interest from several teams as we inch closer to the season. I’m not sure he’d be a great fit with the Lakers due to his defensive deficiencies, but teams in need of scoring from that position (possibly in a reserve role) Andray The Giant could still make a lot of sense.Jermaine is still around, he’s just old. That said, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him end up with a contender in need of depth up front."
O’Neal wants to play for a contender so probably wouldn’t join the Lakers. Blatche, on the other hand, is likely just looking to play – anywhere.
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. In his career, he’s averaged 10.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 46.7% from the floor, 23.7% from beyond the arc and 72.5% from the charity stripe. 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 last season. He’s played for the Warriors, Blazers, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns. O’Neal was drafted with the 17th-overall pick in the first round of the 1996 draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. Over the course of his 18-year career He’s averaged 13.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game during his career.
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