Los Angeles Lakers: 10 worst free agent signings in franchise history

BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: General Manager Mitch Kupchak of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks Jerry West of the Golden State Warriors after practice as part of 2013 Global Games on October 13, 2013 at MasterCard Center in Beijing, China. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 13: General Manager Mitch Kupchak of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks Jerry West of the Golden State Warriors after practice as part of 2013 Global Games on October 13, 2013 at MasterCard Center in Beijing, China. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

8. Vladimir Radmanovic

When the Lakers signed the sharp-shooting big man out of Serbia there were actually high expectations that he could come in and make a major impact for them as a starter at the time. He had some success with the Seattle SuperSonics before coming to the purple and gold as a sixth man scorer off the bench but he was eager for a bigger role elsewhere.

Before the 2007 season, he was expected to re-sign with the other team in Los Angeles, but he was ultimately convinced to come to Lakers because they promised him a starting role.

However, Vlad Rad never lived up to his lofty expectations as a Laker and he never seemed to take basketball serious enough during his time in Los Angeles. In 2007, he missed an extended portion of the season because of a snowboarding accident that he initially lied to the team about and he ended up having to pay a $500,000 fine.

He was eventually traded to the Bobcats for Adam Morrison and Shannon Brown, so at least the Lakers got an exciting role player in return for him.