Lakers Interested in Maggette?

It has been reported that the Lakers have some interest in free agent Corey Maggette.  It’s still uncertain what will happen with free agents Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf, though the team has expressed their interest in retaining the services of both players.  Maggette is drawing a lot of interest around the league and will likely be forced to accept an offer for the mid-level exception.  Maggette averaged 22 points, a career-high, this past season with the Clippers, but teams with cap space are going after younger more coveted guys like Josh Smith and Josh Childress, leaving Maggette as the odd man out as far as cashing in goes.

I could see Maggette as a backup plan for the Lakers, but nothing more.  I think they would much rather re-sign Vujacic and Turiaf because those guys are already familiar with the triangle offense, are younger and are better suited to be role players than Maggette.  Maggette was the primary scoring option for his team last season, and he’d probably come off the bench for the Lakers.  The team’s starting lineup is all but set going into next season, and Maggette would likely be asked to provide scoring off the bench in similar fashion to the role that Vujacic played this season.  It’s difficult to see him being happy with that, but if he’s aching for a ring there may be no better option.

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