After suffering the worst win percentage in franchise history, the Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for the NBA Draft and free agency. Armed with three draft picks and a projected $24 million in cap space, the storied franchise will look to take the next step in their rebuild.
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With the team rumored to be unlikely to exercise Jordan Hill’s option, they will have to make another important decision with Ed Davis. After being one of the few bright spots this past season, Davis is expected to opt out of his $1.1 million contract for a shot at a bigger contract.
In an interview with Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News, Davis expressed his desire to remain with the Lakers:
“I definitely want to be back,” Davis said in an interview with Los Angeles News Group. “With everything being equal, I’m 100 percent going back there. Hopefully that’s the case. But with free agency and all the stuff going on with the draft, you never know how things are going to go.”
While the frontcourt may be crowded depending on who the Lakers select with their second overall pick, Davis is working on being consistent and effective this off-season. So far, the 26 year old is working on his jump shot according to Medina:
“Whenever I do something, I try to be consistent with it and be effective,” Davis said. “Just because I’m working on my jump shot this summer, I’m not going to come in next season and get up 100 3’s in a season. But my jump shot is definitely something I’m working on so I am going to take jump shots next year since I put the work in and I feel confident.”
After playing limited minutes behind Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph in Memphis, Davis took a significant pay cut to prove his worth in the league. In his first season with the Lakers, Davis averaged 8.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 23.3 minutes.
Heading into the off-season, the Lakers will explore all of their options including re-signing Davis. Although Davis would like to return to Los Angeles, there will be numerous teams looking for a young shot blocker who can finish around the rim.
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