After being acquired in a mid-season trade, Kent Bazemore shined in an expanded role for the Los Angeles Lakers last season. Unable to see court time as a member of the Golden State Warriors, Bazemore proved that he can play in the NBA.
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Now an unrestricted free agent, Bazemore has drawn interest from a number of teams, and has already met with the Atlanta Hawks. Despite the interest, Bazemore still would like to return to Los Angeles, as he said in an interview with Basketball Insiders’ Alex Kennedy:
With Kobe [Bryant] coming back, one of the greatest players to ever touch the ball, I could learn a lot from him. That’d be great […] I’d love to return to that franchise, but we’ll see how things shake out.
Bazemore has spent the entirety of his short career in California and would like a return. But with the Lakers in limbo while waiting on the decisions of Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James, Bazemore understands he will have to wait.
In addition to his meeting with the Hawks, and interest in a Lakers return, Bazemore also has meetings scheduled with the San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, and Charlotte Hornets. One of the deciding factors for Bazemore will be minutes available via Kennedy:
I only played 23 games down there with heavy minutes for the Lakers; I only averaged like six minutes with the Warriors. My [sample] size is very small. I just need a chance to prove myself again, so minutes are definitely the first thing I’m after. Everything else is just basketball.
Bazemore can provide a lot to a team, not only on the court, but off the court as well. Wherever he decides to go will have a great young contributor on their hands.
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