“The Lakers’ Ed Davis #21 lays the ball up as the Grizzlies’ Jon Leuer #30 looks on during their NBA game at the Staples Center Friday, January 2, 2015. The Grizzlies beat the Lakers 109-106. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht/Los Angeles Daily News)”

The Lakers repeated something to Ed Davis’ representatives on Tuesday night that they have said throughout the course of the 2014-15 season.

The Lakers expressed interest in retaining Davis, according to a league source familiar with the situation. He posted career-highs in scoring (8.3 points a game), field-goal percentage (60.1), rebounding (7.6), blocked shots (1.2) and assists (1.2) in his fifth NBA season. Whether that happens, however, remains in question.

Four other undisclosed teams also expressed interest in Davis, according to a league source. Although it is not clear which teams reached out, it is possible any of them could offer something more than the Lakers can afford. After declining his $1.1 million player option, Davis would like a two or three-year deal worth $7-$8 million or a one-year deal worth $9-10 million.

But the Lakers currently only have $23 million to spend this offseason. They would need to spend $18.8 million of that money to sign a marquee free agent to a max-salary contract, with possibilities including Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge, the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan, Memphis’ Marc Gasol, Cleveland’s Kevin Love or Detroit’s Greg Monroe.

Davis has ranked the Lakers as his top choice. He remains mindful of both the Lakers’ priorities and possibly receiving an offer before they have clarity on the big-name free agents.

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com