Jermaine O'Neal, Elton Brand and Antawn Jamison are on the Lakers' "short list" of names they are hoping to add to the roster for the veteran's minimum, according to ESPN.com. Los Angeles also remains in negotiations with Jordan Hill.
The Lakers are reportedly pursuing big men not only because it's a need, especially if a deal with Hill doesn't work out, but because Josh McRoberts and his expiring $3.1 million contract have drawn interest from other teams in potential Howard trades.
O'Neal's 2011-12 season ended early because of wrist surgery. Prior to going down, he averaged 5 points and 5.4 rebounds in 25 games with the Celtics.
Brand, who the Sixers amnestied on Thursday, will be first made available to teams under the salary cap through the waiver process. Teams that are under the cap can bid on him. If he does clear waivers, though, the Lakers could go after the 33-year-old, who scored 11 points and grabbed 7.2 rebounds per game last season.
Jamison, meanwhile, averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 rebounds with Cleveland last season. L.A. could go after him, but he's reportedly drawing interest from other teams, including Brooklyn, which is reportedly his preferred landing spot.
Dwight Howard, these guys are not. But the Lakers could do worse in bolstering their bench.
