Lakers Free Agent Rumors: Lamar Odom, Elton Brand, And Chris Kaman On L.A.’s Radar?

With Dwight Howard off to Houston, it doesn’t look like the Los Angeles Lakers will be making any major acquisitions in this offseason. They don’t have room under the salary cap for a major free agent signing, and other than Pau Gasol, they don’t have man value trade assets.

However, the team could be looking to make a few minor moves to improve in 2013-2014. Since younger stars like Howard, Josh Smith and Chris Paul have signed elsewhere, L.A. could bring in a few players that are past their prime.

Lamar Odom

The greatest success of Odom’s career came in his seven years with the Lakers, winning two championships with the club. His level of production immediately dropped off when he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 2011. In two years with the Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers, his minutes were cut drastically as he averaged 6.6 points and 4.0 points per game in consecutive seasons.

Over the weekend, Ramona Shelburne of ESPN Los Angeles reported that the Lakers reached out to the 33-year-old. It’s not known how serious the talks are, but there’s a chance the forward could return to his old club. Odom didn’t want to be traded two years ago and could be rejuvenated by signing with the Lakers. There wouldn’t be much risk involved for L.A., which could get Odom on the cheap.

Elton Brand

The majority of Brand’s career was spent playing with the Clippers, but there’s a chance he could end his career with the other team from Los Angeles. Shelburne also reports that the Lakers are interested in signing the former No. 1 draft pick.

Brand could be a useful bench player for the Lakers and help make up for the loss of Howard. He averaged 7.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game last season in limited minutes. L.A. could, however, face an obstacle in Brand’s contract demands. The New York Knicks are looking to sign the veteran and they could acquire him with their mini mid-level exception.

Chris Kaman

The Lakers could also be interested in Brand’s teammate from last season. Kaman averaged 10.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game for Dallas, which put him sixth among centers in scoring per 48 minutes.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports that the two sides have a “growing mutual interest.” Kaman is intrigued by the idea of returning to Los Angeles, where he played the first eight years of his career with the Clippers. Other than Robert Sacre, who played in just 32 games last year, the Lakers are lacking a true center on their roster.

UPDATE: Chris Kaman has agreed to a one-year deal with the Lakers, according to ESPN sources.