The Los Angeles Lakers have begun to make moves with the 2013 NBA Draft around the corner and NBA free agency less than a week away. The team has decided to exercise the contract option on Jodie Meeks for $1.55 million and extended a qualifying offer to backup center Robert Sacre for $988,872 making the second-year big man a restricted free agent.
Although another team can come in and offer a better deal to Sacre, it probably won’t happen and the Gonzaga alum will likely stay in Los Angeles for at least one more season.
Along with bringing back Meeks and Sacre for another season, the team has decided to part ways with Chris Duhon and Devin Ebanks. Duhon not being retained comes as no surprise with his contract being non-guaranteed. As for Ebanks, the writing has also been on the wall with the team falling out of favor with him following the DUI arrest in the early part of last season.
With the fate of the players above being determined, the attention will turn to Dwight Howard and his pending free agency. Dwight has still given no indication in terms of what his plans are, but has let it known that he intends on testing free agency as of July 1.
The Lakers recently purchased billboards in Los Angeles in a campaign effort to convince the superstar center to re-sign with the team long-term. No telling whether or not the tactic will have any impact on locking up Dwight for the next five years.
Lakers Nation News
Lakers News: Team Makes Qualifying Offer to Center Robert Sacre
Lakers News: Team Exercises Option on Jodie Meeks
Lakers News: Lakers Won’t Bring Back Devin Ebanks, Chris Duhon
Lakers Hang Staples Center Poster Begging Dwight Howard to Stay
VIDEO: Phil Jackson ‘Eleven Rings’ Discussion with John Salley
The Nebulous Nature of the Term ‘Legacy’ and It’s Impact on Sports
Phil Jackson Would Like Dwight Howard to Return to the Lakers
Mitch Kupchak Expects Kobe Bryant to be “as Focused and Driven as Ever”
Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak Expects Dwight Howard in Hall of Fame
Lakers News: Lakers Taking Phone Calls for Gasol Trade Proposals
James Worthy and Bill Walton do Scavenger Hunt on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Metta World Peace will Exercise Player Option, Remain with Lakers
Metta World Peace Trolls Lakers Fans, Announces Reality Show
VIDEO: Jeanie Buss Accepts Award for Dr. Buss at TWC Media Event
Lakers News
Metta World Peace Won’t Opt Out of Final Season of Lakers Deal [LA Times]
Clippers are Poised to Take Big Leap Forward as Lakers Fade [LA Times]
Ex-Laker Brian Shaw Agrees to be Nuggets’ Coach [LA Times]
Clippers Go from ‘Other’ to ‘Something Else’ with Doc Rivers Hiring [LA Times]
Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak Says Dwight Howard is ‘Our Future’ [LA Times]
Free Agent Dwight Howard Still Undecided About Future [OC Register]
No Dancing Around it, Madsen Wants to Coach [OC Register]
Kobe Bryant or Tim Duncan: Whose Legacy is Greater [Silver Screen & Roll]
The Lakers at #48 – Swing for the Fences [Forum Blue & Gold]
NBA News
Doc Era Begins Thanks to General Manager Chris Paul [Sports City]
Cleveland Cavaliers Offer New Orleans First Overall Pick in Draft [Sports City]
NBA News: Danny Ainge is Shocked that Doc Rivers Left Celtics [Sports City]
Top-5 NBA Trades Teams Should Make Ahead of 2013 NBA Draft [Sports City]
Brooklyn Nets GM Billy King Inquires About Celtics’ Kevin Garnett [Sports City]
How Will Wizards Add to the Wall-Beal Core? [SB Nation]
Nets Looking to Swap #22 Pick for CJ Miles? [SB Nation]
Larry Bird Returns to Indiana [SB Nation]
Doc Rivers Said He Didn’t Plan to Leave Boston; Doesn’t Shy Away from Clipper Title Talk [Pro Basketball Talk]
Trey Burke Ready to Compete with New Teammate Point Guards Right Now [Pro Basketball Talk]
Report: Alvin Gentry Chooses Clippers Over Lakers, Will Be Rivers’ Staff [Pro Basketball Talk]
