As LeBron James dominated the news cycle regarding his future on the eve of NBA free agency, another member of the Lakers’ starting lineup returned.
Deandre Ayton is picking up his contract option for $8.1 million, according to people not authorized to publicly discuss the decision.
The 7-foot Ayton averaged career lows in points (12.5), rebounds (8.2) and minutes per game (27.2) in his first season with the Lakers, but played a career-high 72 games and shot a career-best 67.1% from the field. He averaged 10 points and 9.6 rebounds in the playoffs.
Lakers guard Marcus Smart declined his option of $5.9 million and will become an unrestricted free agent, according to people not authorized to publicly discuss the decision.
Smart is expected to have several teams pursue him in free agency, with the Houston Rockets reportedly among them.
He was the Lakers’ best defender and averaged 9.3 points and 3.0 assists last season, also his first with the team.
As for James, he’s an unrestricted free agent who earned $52.6 million last season. Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka said during his season-ending news conference in May that they would give James time with his family to decide his future.
There has been much speculation about James’ future, the most persistent reports being that the Golden State Warriors are interested in signing him.
Several NBA executives told The Times they can see James staying with the Lakers on a one-year deal for $30 million if L.A. is willing to pay that much. Another executive said he could see the 41-year-old James playing two more seasons. The executives could not discuss potential free agency moves publicly because of NBA rule restrictions.
“LeBron, we probably haven’t seen a player that has honored the game to the extent that he’s honored the game. He’s given so much to his teammates, to this organization,” Pelinka said in May. “And the thing we want to do more than anything else is honor him back. And I think the first order of business there is allowing him to spend the time he needs to decide what his next steps are.”
Forward Rui Hachimura also is an unrestricted free agent who is drawing interest from teams including the San Antonio Spurs and Brooklyn Nets, according to league executives. One executive said he can see Hachimura signing a three-year, $60-million deal.
Hachimura, who earned $18.2 million last season and has said he would like to return to the Lakers, averaged 17.5 points in the playoffs and shot 54.9% from the field and 56.9% from three-point range.
The Lakers could have up to $50 million in salary cap space to spend on free agents. They need a center and athletic wing players.
The Lakers have been linked to several unrestricted free agents including centers Robert Williams III and Mitchell Robinson and wings Quentin Grimes and Ziaire Williams.
Williams is a 6-9 rim-protector and lob threat. But he played just 59 games for Portland last season because of a knee injury. He played well in the playoffs, averaging 9.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.
Robinson just won a championship with the New York Knicks. The 7-footer is a good defender and also a lob threat. He averaged just 13.9 minutes in the playoffs and was effective.
The Sacramento Kings also have interest in Robinson, according to people not authorized to speak on the matter, but don’t have enough cap space to make him a good offer.
Grimes, who’s 6-4 and 26 years old, averaged 13.4 points on 45% shooting with the Philadelphia 76ers last season, mostly off the bench. Williams, 6-9 and 24 years old, averaged 10.2 points and shot 42.5% in 56 games with the Nets last season, mostly off the bench. Brooklyn declined his $6.25-million option. Williams went to Sierra Canyon High and was teammates with Bronny James.
The NBA free-agency period opens Tuesday at 3 p.m. PST, allowing teams to officially begin negotiating. But contracts can’t be signed until the moratorium is lifted on July 6.
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