In this Lakers rumors and news update, the Chicago Bulls have finally decided to amnesty big man Carlos Boozer - potentially giving the Los Angeles Lakers a chance to pick him up on the relative cheap.
According to Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers are one of a handful of teams who have the cap space necessary to make a legitimate winning bid for the 32-year-old:
The Lakers are one of many teams still armed with salary-cap room (about $6.8 million), though approximately $5 million of that has been promised to re-signing guard Nick Young.
Both Young and returning center-forward Jordan Hill have yet to re-sign, giving the Lakers additional flexibility to add to the roster -- possibly through an amnesty claim on Boozer.
The Lakers could also opt to waive Steve Nash, stretching his contract's cap hit over the next three seasons in order to open up space for Boozer.
With Pau Gasol now a member of the Chicago Bulls, there is a hole in the frontcourt that Boozer could very well fill. Despite posting the second-lowest minutes per game total (28.2) of his 12-year career in 2013-14, Boozer still averaged 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in 76 contests.
That production would be a welcome addition to a transitioning Lakers squad, especially if they can acquire him on a discount. The Lakers will most likely have to contend with teams such as the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks who are also looking for cost-effective options at forward/center.
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