Lakers target Darren Collison makes appearance at Staples Center, sits with Jeanie Buss

The Lakers may be close to adding a key free agent.

The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t make any moves before the NBA trade deadline expired on Thursday, but it has been speculated for months that the team would try to add free agent guard Darren Collison, who retired from the NBA last June.

Collison has been linked to both the Lakers and Clippers – but he spent his Thursday night watching a Rockets-Lakers game in the company of Lakers owner and president Jeanie Buss.

According to Collison, he was just enjoying his prime seats.

Collison would be a major addition ahead of what is expected to be a deep playoff run, as the Lakers need another guard who can reduce the playmaking load on LeBron and also be a reliable offensive option for the team’s second unit. Collison has never been a volume shooter, but he has shot above 40 percent from three in each of his last four seasons.

After watching the Clippers upgrade through a trade for Marcus Morris, the Lakers need a response – and they may be close to landing Collison. According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Collison will discuss his future with the Lakers over the next week.

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