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Lakers Rumors: Lakers Considering Signing Anthony Tolliver

By | July 15, 2012|

One of the biggest problems the Los Angeles Lakers have to address before next season is the play off the bench. Last season, the Lakers had arguably the worst bench in the league and it showed throughout the regular season and during the NBA playoffs.

Fortunately, the Lakers were able to lockup Steve Nash for the next three years to secure the point guard position. This will be the first time the Lakers have had a dominant floor general in the backcourt in quite some time, but it will be all for nothing if they can find players to contribute in the second unit.

If the two losses in the Summer League thus far is any indication of how undependable the younger players on the squad will be, the Lakers are bound to be in trouble without some considerable upgrades before next season.

A free agent option that has recently surfaced as a possibility for the Lakers is forward Anthony Tolliver, according to Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida via Twitter:

“Until getting Rashard Lewis, Heat were looking at FA F Anthony Tolliver Teams now eyeing Tolliver: Chicago Dallas Cleveland Lakers Minnesota”

Last season, Tolliver averaged 4.1 points and 3.0 rebounds per game for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 27-year-old forward didn’t get much time in a crowded frontcourt in Minnesota, and will be looking to move on via free agency this summer.

The signing of Tolliver may be strictly a backup plan for the Lakers as he isn’t exactly a game-changer. If the potential free agent signings of Grant Hill, Antawn Jamison, Jordan Hill and Jermaine O’Neal fall through, Tolliver might become the next option.

There’s no question that both of the Jordan Hill, Jamison and O’Neal are much better options at forward, but the Lakers are extremely limited in terms of signing free agents with an inability to pay high-dollar amounts for players.

At this point in time, Grant Hill signing a one-year deal with the Lakers to play alongside Steve Nash appears to be the most likely scenario. Even if Hill comes into the fold in Los Angeles, the Lakers will need one or two more free agents to help bolster the bench. Jamison is said to be considering his options with the Lakers being a serious candidate to sign him.

As for Jordan Hill, it is uncertain if he’ll return as he continues to gauge interest around the league. The Lakers would love to have him back and for good reason after posting impressive numbers during the playoffs, but it remains to be seen if the two sides can come to an agreement.

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About the author

Ryan Ward

Ryan is a senior writer for Lakers Nation and Examiner.com with an undying passion writing about the Los Angeles Lakers. Follow Ryan on Twitter: @Lakers_Examiner

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  • qwerty

    im not to sure about all the others listed in this article but i really want the lakers to get grant hill i think he could even take MWP’s spot as the teams starting SF cuz of how well he and nash would play together

    • Justint3z

      Not sure he just seems too old

      • http://twitter.com/Lakers_Examiner Ryan Ward

        In limited minutes, Hill could be a huge contributor. 

      • Tomk777

        He plays better than his age, and we only need him for 15 minutes per game, for the vets minimum, all you get is older players , Grant Hill is better than most in that respect.

        • http://twitter.com/Lakers_Examiner Ryan Ward

          Agreed. Hill is a great option with the vet min. Little risk, big reward situation.

    • http://twitter.com/Lakers_Examiner Ryan Ward

      Grant Hill is one of the best options out there in my opinion. Antawn Jamison is another player they should seriously consider.

  • Justint3z

    He’d be a decent pick up but that being said i’d like them to see if they can get the better FA available before they go after Tolliver 

    • http://twitter.com/Lakers_Examiner Ryan Ward

      Much like Jermaine O’Neal, I believe Tolliver is a backup option. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/issa.dugom Issa Dugom

    Pick up Jordan Hill, Grant Hill, and Antwan Jamison. Jermaine is wack now, no point in even trying to get him.
    Our starters: Nash, Kobe, MWP, Gasol, Bynum.
    Our bench: Blake, Johnson-Odom, Ebanks, J. Hill, G. Hill, Jamison, Sacre, Goudelock, Morris.
    That looks decent to me..cuz you got 3 people that can score on the bench in G. Hill, Ebanks, and goudelock

    • http://twitter.com/Lakers_Examiner Ryan Ward

      I agree. That would be ideal.

  • Joelsky

    all rumors, all rumors…when will all these ever be for real. For me go for Grant Hill,Jordan Hill and Jamison. Time is running out.

    • http://twitter.com/Lakers_Examiner Ryan Ward

      Those three are at the top of the list. And I agree, can’t wait for the speculation to end. It’ll come to fruition once the Dwight Howard saga comes to an end.

      • Tomk777

        Were only getting two players not three or four, not enough roster spots unless we make some huge trade for Howard, which I hope we don’t.

    • Tomk777

      Mitch is trying but Jordan Hill’s agent is dragging his feet, and Mitch needs to know if he has Jordan Hill before he knows if he needs another big. If he doesn’t get Jordan, he needs Jamison, who won’t sign for just the vets minimum, but will need at least the mini mid level, if he gets Jordan, he can go for OJ Mayo with the mini mid level, because Mayo is better than Meeks, or Grant Hill. Back up plan is Grant Hill and Jermaine O’Neal.

  • Justint3z

    Doubt we sign Mayo but if we do and id prefer Jamison over the others id call that an off season… forget about Howard i say because number 1 hes injured and we have no idea how serious and if he doesnt sing an extension forget about it. What we also need to do is sign Bynum to a extension.

    • http://twitter.com/Lakers_Examiner Ryan Ward

      Signing Mayo is doubtful. It’ll take some convincing to have him sign for less in LA. Jamison is the best option at the vet’s min. 

      • Justint3z

        Miracles can happen right? What do you think of Jodie meeks?

    • http://www.facebook.com/igotmadskillzyo Daniel Boston

      Convince O.J Mayo to sign for less so he can be stuck behind Kobe much like he was with Memphis? That’s not happening. Only way the Lakers get Mayo is in a sign-and-trade so at least the man gets paid what he is worth.

  • Scutter15

    I want them to go back to the plan of picking up Jodie Meeks. Pick up Meeks instead of Grant Hill. Meeks is a lights out 3 shooter and is YOUNG. Pick up Meeks, re-sign Jordan Hill and pick up Jamison. 

    • Justint3z

      Ahh forgot about him yes i agree although G HIll is a better defender hes not young id take him

    • Tomk777

      So he can crack under pressure in the playoffs, no thanks, all this crap about players being old, it only matters if they are playing old, Nash is still kicking but, and Grant h
      Hill on his worst day is better than Meeks. He will give us 10 points, 5 rebounds and great defense in limited minutes off the bench. Antwan Jamison is the other piece of the puzzle.

      • Justint3z

        Hill is too old i could understand if he was still in his 30′s but hes just about 41 and you see no players play that long and are successful

        • Tomk777

          He’s 39, not 41 and that’s what you get for the vets minimum, mostly older players at the end of their career, or undrafted rookies who have very little skill and nobody wants, Hill would give us 15 great minutes off the bench, he can still score, and play very good defense, heck he started for Pheonix last year.

          • Justint3z

            He’ll be 40 by the time season starts and if we can fins someone better go with him you know what i mean

  • KingNov

    Lake show needs to sign Jamison! He can score 10 to 15 off the bench and even play the 3 on occasion. If Jamison picks LA they need to go after both of the Hills hard and that would complete the bench. Would prefer a pg but that’s not happening. Mayo and Meeks seem far fetched also.

  • http://www.facebook.com/jason.black.509511 Jason Black

    THIS MESSAGE IF FOR THESE IDIOTS THAT OWN THIS SITE STOP POSTING RUMORS POST BREAKING NEWS YOU ARE AGRIVATING THE HELL OUT OF PEOPLE THANK YOU

    • Justint3z

      ??? That was a very stupid comment.

  • Ne0

    is unlikely young guy in their prime gonna come to lakers for less money, is really veteran who had no won a ring or grow up here would come to lakers.

    • Justint3z

      A guy can hope that Mayo comes right? Miracles do happen right? My life really needs a Miracle right now lol.

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