Theo Ratliff (arthroscopic knee surgery)

[H00PDREAMS]

One name the team has tossed around already is Erick Dampier. The 6-11, 265-pound center is 35 years old and looking for a team after a 14-year NBA career when he averaged 7.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game with Indiana, Golden State and Dallas.

Dampier averaged 6.0 points and 7.3 rebounds in 55 games with the Mavericks last season and has received interest from the Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors and Houston Rockets in recent weeks. A deal fell through in Houston after the team had concerns about Dampier's health.

Looks like we're already eye-balling Dampier. I suppose the concern is that there may be something wrong with him since no one has picked him up yet.

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/n ... AHeadlines

Hopefully he's in good shape and we pick him up. It would be an epic battle between him and Shaq in the Finals... lol.

Maybe he is asking for too much money cos I thought the JE Skeets of the BBall Jones said that The Raptors were close to inking then Damp changed his mind. seems the Raptors were willing to pay but Damp wants either a ring, stability or more money.

[crazyeights]

EDamp's name has come up according to sources.

://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=5813680

This would be a good move but I don't understand why would give up on a much younger Mbenga & go with Ratliff in the first place.

I didn't understand that either, but you have to think it was either Mbenga wanted more of an opportunity (which I'm sure the Lakers played it off as) but probably more so about bench chemistry?

Either way Mbenga couldn't be trusted with big minutes and as old as Theo is maybe they were hoping for the kind of production he had with the Bobcats. That was a risky move though. Hopefully our bigs don't see too much minutes in the meantime.

Isn't there some D-League or old camp invite big who we could call? Damp seems like he might be too expensive.

[NOODLESTYLE]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketbal ... 3829.story

The Lakers will talk to the representative for free-agent Erick Dampier, though it might not be a good match for either side. Dampier will want more than a short-term contract, and the Lakers are looking for a little more mobility in the post.

One of the candidates for a spot was Jake Voskuhl, 33, who the Lakers believe would be an active defender and rebounder despite career averages of 3.4 rebounds and 0.4 blocked shots a game. He played for five teams in a nine-year career and did not play in the NBA last season.

There are few free-agent big men available, but Steven Hunter and Sean May aren't on NBA rosters after spending last season with Memphis and Sacramento, respectively. May was waived by New Jersey after sustaining a stress fracture in his left foot before training camp.

[Slava]

No Sean May please.. the guy sucks. Rather give someone from the D-League a look in.

[LApwnd]

man, there's got be at least one servicable D-league C somewhere , I mean look at GSW they found 2 last year.