Los Angeles Lakers Free Agency Rumors: Carmelo Anthony's arrival on hold, center hunt continues and more

The Los Angeles Lakers failed to address their shortcomings ahead of the trade deadline last month and the organization is now limited to the free-agent market. The pool of players currently available is among the worst in recent memory, although the Lakers need to do something, as ESPN currently ranks the team's chances of making the postseason at just 1 percent.

So, as the Lakers enter a critical point of their faltering season, here are the latest rumors regarding the players that the organization could add.

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Carmelo Anthony talks are on hold

Back in November, Carmelo Anthony was instructed to find a new team by the Houston Rockets

Ever since Carmelo Anthony was instructed by the Houston Rockets to find a new team back in November, the 10-time All-Star has been linked with a move to Los Angeles. Anthony is believed to be keen on a move to the Lakers, while LeBron James has personally campaigned for the team to sign his longtime Team USA teammate.

While a move has yet to materialize, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN is reporting that the Lakers remain interested in adding Anthony, however, a move depends on the team's ability to get back into the playoff hunt:

The Los Angeles Lakers and free agent Carmelo are pausing talks on a possible contract agreement unless the franchise makes a turn back toward pursuit of Western Conference playoffs contention.

The Lakers had been leaning toward signing Anthony for the rest of the season, until losses in four of the past five games left the organization and Anthony's camp wondering if it made sense to bring the veteran into an unsettled environment with suddenly so little chance of making the playoffs

Anthony has played just 10 times this season, averaging 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

The in-house wildcard?

Hawes has not featured in the NBA for nearly two years

Amidst the Lakers being linked with former All-Star center DeAndre Jordan last week, the organization quietly signed Spencer Hawes off of waivers.

Hawes was drafted by the Sacramento Kings with the 10th overall pick in the 2007 draft, and the 30-year-old has since featured in 684 NBA regular season games. Over his career, Hawes has averaged 8.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, although the versatile big has not played in the NBA since being released by the Milwaukee Bucks back in September of 2017.

The center was immediately assigned to the South Bay Lakers, although, if the organization eventually chooses to promote Hawes to the first team, he would not take up the Lakers' final open roster spot. Ultimately, if Magic Johnson fails to add another center in the coming weeks, the Lakers may look to promote the former Sixers man until the end of the season.

A center is still a priority

Greg Monroe is among the current crop of available centers

Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times last week reported that the Lakers wanted to add another big man, with DeAndre Jordan being among the team's primary targets. Nevertheless, Jordan remained with the New York Knicks, and after failing to agree to a buyout last week, the 2017 All-Star is no longer eligible to feature in the 2019 playoffs.

The Lakers have also missed out on high profile buyout candidates such as Enes Kanter, and the pool of available centers is quickly drying up. Despite this, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Lakers are still considering using their final open roster spot on a big man.

While there are no standout stars available on the buyout market, experienced players such as Greg Monroe and Marcin Gortat are currently searching for new teams. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if Lakers executives will use their final roster spot on a player who is unlikely to provide much of an upgrade (if any) over JaVale McGee.