Los Angeles Lakers power forward Brandon Bass (L) posts up against Memphis Grizzlies' Matt Barnes. (Photo : Getty Images)
Lakers power forward Brandon Bass reportedly wants to stay in Los Angeles next season despite recently opting out of his current contract with the Hollywood squad.
The 31-year-old center-forward has just finished the first year of his two-year, $6.1 million deal with the Lakers that comes with a player option at the end of the first season. According to the Los Angeles Times, Bass decided to opt out of the contract and become an unrestricted free agent this July 1.
Bass, the 33rd overall pick of the 2005 NBA Draft, is set to receive $3.1 million in wages from the team next season if he had chosen to opt in.
Last season was 11-year veteran's first season with the Lakers as he spent his first ten with the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (2), Dallas Mavericks (2), Orlando Magic (2), and Boston Celtics (4).
Bass signed with the Lakers last summer hoping to play a key role in the young squad as one of its veteran leaders on and off the court. However, his plans did not push through as the season progressed.
In 66 games with the Lakers last season, he never started and averaged just 7.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 20.3 minutes of playing time per night, the lowest since his fifth year in the league, playing mostly as a substitute for both big men positions in the rotation of the now fired Lakers head coach Byron Scott.
Meanwhile, Lakers Nation reported that despite Bass opting out of his contract, it "doesn't necessarily mean that he is on his way out of Los Angeles" as the former LSU standout is said to be hoping to stay with the Lakers next season if the team still wants him.
The Lakers are rumored to be tentative because he is actually undersized at his position (6-foot-8, 250 pounds), but his hustle, leaping ability, and strength ably compensates for his obvious weaknesses.
The report noted that the team's new head coach, former Laker Luke Walton, "should be able to find ways to make up for Bass' lack of height, and his versatility and athleticism could make him a nice fit in Walton's Golden State Warriors-inspired offense".
With Bass' free-agency, the Lakers now only has $23.1 million in obligated wages next season. The projected salary cap for the 2016-2017 season is $92 million.
