Jeremy Lin (Photo : Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters)
After missing the postseason for second straight year, the Los Angeles Lakers are heading into the free-agency season with a goal of using a big chunk of their salary cap to sign elite free-agents.
But despite their plan to attract the brightest stars available in the market, the Lakers management is still keen in retaining some of their current players who have played well enough throughout the season to earn another chance in playing with the purple-and-gold.
According to Lakers head coach Byron Scott, the Lakers are closely looking into the possibility of re-signing shooting guard Wayne Ellington, power forward Ed Davis and point guard Ronnie Price.
Ellington, who is playing in his fifth year in the league out of North Carolina, is averaging a career-high 9.7 points and 3.2 rebounds in 24 minutes action. The 27-year old sharp-shooter started to get more playing time following the season-ending injury to Kobe Bryant midway into the season. Since his inclusion into the starting lineup, Ellington averaged 12.6 points in February and 11.1 points this March.
"Scott said the Lakers will "absolutely" consider re-signing Ellington this offseason after gushing about his improvement as a shooter and defender. But the Lakers will prioritize the NBA Draft and marquee free agents," via Mike Medina of Los Angeles Daily News.
The Lakers are also high in keeping Davis, who has been the team's best rim protector this season. Averaging 8.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, the 25-year old Davis stressed that he's going to opt out from his players' option as he hopes to get a lucrative offer from the Lakers or other teams this summer.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Lin seems to be a one-and-done player for the Lakers, despite putting far better stats in the second half of the season. The 26-year old Lin is averaging a solid 10.7 points and 4.9 dimes in 25 minutes per game this season, but the Lakers are reportedly more interested in re-signing Price and exercising the second-year team option for Jordan Clarkson, who has emerged as the finest under-the-radar talent from the 2014 rookie class.
ESPN NBA insider Amin Elhassan also believed Jordan Hill is an odd-man out because the Lakers are unlikely to exercise the team option for the second year of his contract that would pay him $9MM.
"Probably not....he's not worth that, he won't get more than that on the open market, and it takes a huge chunk out of their cap flexibility," Elhassan said when asked if the Lakers will retain Hill after this season.
