NBA Rumors: Lakers Consider Former Chicago Bull To Fill Roster Openings

The Los Angeles Lakers have eight open roster spots, and the need to bring in more frontline players is a concern. While some names such as Brook Lopez, DeAndre Jordan and Nikola Vucevic have been mentioned recently, the purple and gold do need some power forwards to help back up Anthony Davis and company up front.

There will surely be a lot of names once NBA free agency kicks off and one of them is Bobby Portis. The 22nd overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft can do the little things that the Lakers would need next NBA season although Los Angeles will have to be aggressive if they are to land him. According to NBC Sports, at least six other teams are hot on the tail of the 24-year-old power forward who made strides with the Chicago Bulls before being dealt off to the Washington Wizards.

If successful, the Lakers would get someone who could add depth to their frontcourt. He averaged 14.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.7 blocks and 0.4 steals in 26 minutes per game between the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards, Fansided reported. The only other forward on the Lakers' end right now is Moritz Wagner. The Lakers are expected to look at the available talent this summer to help improve their frontcourt depth. Other teams in pursuit of Portis include New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, and Orlando Magic - teams equally determined to improve their respective rosters.

Aside from Portis, Lopez, Jordan, and Vucevic, other names reportedly on the hit list of the Lakers include Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving, and Jimmy Butler. But with only about $23.7 million left in team salary budget, the Lakers will be hard pressed to squeeze in such big names unless someone would be willing to take in less money for a chance at winning an NBA title.

Portis owns a budget-friendly contract (he is set to make $3.6 million next season), making him a fit for the Lakers. Like most NBA free agents, the native from Arkansas Razorback is expected to be beseeched by offers - meaning the final verdict will entirely be up to him. Some factors to consider outside of money would be playing time. He will likely come off the bench and spell Davis or even Kyle Kuzma, depending on what Frank Vogel plans to do next NBA season.