Ed Davis wasn’t the flashiest acquisition of the Los Angeles Lakers’ off-season, but he has arguably been the most productive. After spending multiple years struggling to get playing time in Toronto and Memphis, Davis has flourished in an increased role with the Lakers.
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Davis has a player option at the end of the season worth about $1 million and according to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News, he will exercise that option at the end of the season:
Davis said in an interview with the Los Angeles News Group that he will opt out of his player option worth around $1 million that would secure his Lakers’ future for the 2015-16 season for one specific reason.
Davis would specify his reasoning for opting out, saying he hopes to remain with the team and expressing confidence that the Lakers could turn things around:
I’m hoping for a long-term deal,” said Davis, who has until June 25 before formally deciding his move. “I’d love to return here. I know this will turn around eventually.”
In the midst of constant injuries around the team and a fluctuating rotation that has altered his minutes, Davis has remained remarkably consistent. He is averaging career highs in points (8.0), rebounds (7.3), blocks (1.1) and field goal percentage (58.4), leading the Lakers in the latter two categories.
On a team that struggles defensively, Davis has been one player that is a positive on that side of the ball and he knows his role very well. Whether or not the Lakers will retain him after the season remains to be seen.
The Lakers will have a number of draft picks and will be very active in free agency with targets such as Greg Monroe, Marc Gasol, Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge. If the Lakers are fortunate enough to secure any of them, it could put Davis’ future with the Lakers in doubt.
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