It's just about ring-chasing time.
The Los Angeles Lakers will reportedly sign unrestricted free agent forward Antawn Jamison, according to the Charlotte Observer.
The Charlotte Bobcats have lost out on free agent Antawn Jamison, who will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Observer has learned.
NBA.com confirms the Lakers have "strong interest" in Jamison, who spent the past 2-plus seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
ESPNLA.com reports that Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak confirmed interest in Jamison but pumped the brakes a little bit on whether the signing was imminent.
"We're not about to do anything," Kupchak said. "I would know."
Jamison, 36, averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Cavaliers last season. A 14-year veteran, Jamison was a lottery pick in the 1998 NBA Draft, and his career has also included stops with the Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards.
He will join a Lakers frontline that gives the bulk of its minutes to Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. Theoretically, Jamison, a versatile inside-outside forward, could help fill a hole created when Lamar Odom was traded last season.
The Lakers, who are well over the salary cap, could offer Jamison a mini mid-level exception deal, the veteran's minimum or they could add him via a sign-and-trade.