Lakers interested in Kings center Hassan Whiteside?

The Lakers are expected to bring in a player to round out the roster after waiving fifth-year guard Quinn Cook, and Hassan Whiteside is reportedly on the list of players whom Los Angeles has its eye on.

"Sacramento center Hassan Whiteside, who is averaging 8.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots in 14-1/2 minutes per game, is a possible target the team could pursue," wrote Dan Woike and Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times.

Whiteside is currently not available but could become an option through the buyout market since his minutes are expected to decline with the return Richaun Holmes. The 31-year-old center played just eight minutes in the Kings' loss to the Bucks on Sunday. Whiteside may not provide much value on offense, but he could be helpful on the defensive side of the ball. The Lakers are in need of some depth beyond Marc Gasol.

Of course, many believe that if the Lakers end up adding a center, it will be DeMarcus Cousins, who will be waived by the Rockets after falling firmly behind Christian Wood on the depth chart. 

Whatever the Lakers do, they need to do it quickly. They have lost three straight games and could be headed for a free fall with Anthony Davis expected to miss several more weeks.