NBA Free Agents 2014: Los Angeles Lakers Could Rush to Sign Chris Bosh in July

The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly planning to pursue Miami Heat's LeBron James and New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony this summer. However, the team could make a strong push to sign Chris Bosh in the offseason, Fox Sports reported on Monday.

The Lakers, who will have enough cap space to sign a superstar to a max deal this summer, will strongly consider signing Bosh if James and Anthony decide to stay with their respective teams or sign elsewhere.

Previous reports indicated that the Lakers would prioritize signing James or Anthony in the offseason, but Fox Sports' sources indicated that the Lakers are more interested in acquiring Bosh instead of Anthony.

"It seems most GMs feel Bosh (and not Anthony) is the second biggest potential prize on the upcoming market. But if James goes back to the Heat, Bosh will, too. If not, the Lakers are secretly interested," Fox Sports noted.

Bosh could be a better fit to the Lakers compared to Anthony especially if superstar Kobe Bryant remains healthy next season.

Anthony needs the ball more often to become effective, while Bosh has proven that he can be very productive even if he is the team's third scoring option.

Bosh has been overshadowed by his more celebrated teammates in Miami—James and Dwyane Wade—over the past four seasons, but he has been a vital factor in the Heat's success, particularly during their title runs in 2012 and 2013.

This season, the 29-year-old power forward is averaging 17.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. The former Georgia Tech standout has been very efficient all season long, shooting 53.1 percent from the field.

Bosh could take the role that is expected to be left by Pau Gasol, who will also hit free agency this summer. The Lakers are reportedly not interested in re-signing Gasol in the offseason.

However, signing Bosh will not be as easy as it sounds for the Lakers because several teams are expected to express their interest in the 11-year veteran forward.

Previous reports indicated that the Dallas Mavericks and the Chicago Bulls were among the teams who are also expected to make runs. Both the Mavericks and the Bulls will have enough cap room to offer a lucrative deal to the nine-time NBA All-Star.