NBA Free Agents Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers & New York Knicks Interested in Kevin Seraphin, Carlos Boozer
This NBA offseason began with a bang. While most high profile NBA free agents have already found a new home, such as LaMarcus Aldridge and Rajon Rondo, teams are still busy trying to piece together their ideal squad.
Obviously there aren't any elite players left on the open market, but there are a few players who could help make a difference going forward. A few teams seem to think that Kevin Seraphin could be such a player.
According to multiple reports, the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks are considering signing the free agent big man.
The Lakers made a move to trade for center Roy Hibbert this offseason, but Hibbert only has one year left on his contract. Center Robert Sacre is also entering the final year of his contract, and Jordan Hill is no longer with the Lakers after they chose not to exercise the team option on him. Probably a wise move by the Lakers considering that would have cost them $9 million to keep Hill for another season.
So, back to Seraphin.
Seraphin is just 25 years old, and he has spent his entire five year career with the Washington Wizards. He wasn't able to showcase his skills to the fullest extent because Nene and Marcin Gortat got most of the front court playing time in D.C. Although he didn't start a single game last year, Seraphin still appeared in 79 games overall for the Wizards last season averaging 8.4 rebounds per 36 minutes.
The Lakers currently have 14 players under contract, and have the room to add one more this offseason. Although this seems like good value, many Lakers fan shun at the idea of adding another average size power forward to the roster. The Lakers are coming off their worst season in franchise history in which they lost 61 games.
Speaking of worst seasons in franchise history, the Knicks are also in play for Seraphin. The Knicks lost 65 games last season while ranking 29th in total rebounds per game. Phil Jackson did make the decision to sign Robin Lopez, but Seraphin could provide valuable minutes.
Seraphin is a pretty athletic big man, which is what Jackson prefers. According to FOX Sports, the Knicks are not only interested in signing Seraphin for his defense, but they are also in play for Carlos Boozer, who is also presently an unrestricted free agent. Boozer is the bigger free agent target at the moment as even the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks are in the mix.
The Rockets routinely make some of the biggest offseason moves. In recent years they've brought in players such as Jeremy Lin, James Harden and Dwight Howard.
There is still a strong possibility that the Wizards could re-sign Seraphin this offseason. That wouldn't be surprising considering that fact that Brazilian forward Nene has just one year left on his contract.
Both the Knicks and Lakers each have frontcourt issues, and Seraphin won't come at a high price, so this isn't a risky move at all. As for Boozer to the Knicks, he is no stranger to playing in big cities. If Boozer did join the Knicks, that would mean he would have played host in the three biggest cities in the U.S. in just the last two years.
Other notable free agents include: Ray Allen, Glenn Davis and J.R. Smith
Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1
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