Lakers to add backcourt depth with Frazier, a shooter from Florida

The Lakers have agreed to terms with University of Florida guard Michael Frazier II, according to agent Matt Ramker of ASM Sports.

The terms of the deal haven’t been released, but Frazier is expected to sign later this week.

“We’ve verbally agreed on the terms, but he’ll be in L.A. in the next handful of days to take his physical and sign his contract,” Ramker said.

The 6-foot-5 Frazier went undrafted, but played for the Golden State Warriors NBA Summer League entry. Frazier, known for his perimeter shooting, made 43 percent of his 3-pointers during three seasons at Florida. His 3-point percentage dipped to 38 percent during his junior season, when he averaged 12.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists.

Frazier labeled himself the “best shooter in the draft,” during a June predraft workout for the Lakers. Continue reading “Lakers to add backcourt depth with Frazier, a shooter from Florida” »

Lakers sign undrafted Texas forward Jonathan Holmes

The Lakers signed undrafted University of Texas forward Jonathan Holmes to a multi-year contract, General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced Thursday. Terms of the 6-foot-9, 22-year-old’s deal were not released.

Holmes, a four-year starter at Texas, was rewarded for a solid performance in the NBA Summer League, where he averaged 12.2 points and 5.6 rebounds as a member of the Celtics’ entry. Holmes, who has good range for a physical player with a 240-pound body, shot 56 percent from the field and 46 percent from beyond the arc in eight summer league games.

The versatile forward from San Antonio was a solid, but not spectacular player in college, earning All-Big 12 second team honors and team MVP as a junior in 2013-14. Holmes’ junior season was his best for the Longhorns with averages of 12.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks on 51 percent shooting. He was All-Big 12 honorable mention as a senior, finishing with four-year career averages of 9.2 points and 5.9 rebounds.

NBA free agency: Lakers reach out to Kent Bazemore

The Lakers’ Kent Bazemore #6 moves the ball up court during their game against the Kings at the Staples Center in Los Angeles February 28, 2014. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht/Los Angeles Daily News)

The Lakers’ Kent Bazemore #6 moves the ball up court during their game against the Kings at the Staples Center in Los Angeles February 28, 2014. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht/Los Angeles Daily News)

Although the Lakers declined to extend a $1.1 million to make Kent Bazemore a restricted free agent, the Lakers reached out to his representatives expressing interest in re-signing the reserve forward, according to a league source familiar with the discussions.

Bazemore also fielded calls from the Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics, with coach Brad Stevens personally called Bazemore to express interest in him. Bazemore is more interested in joining a team where he can have the largest role and is less concerned about the cost and length of any potential deal.

Bazemore impressed the Lakers with his athleticism, defense and work ethic after acquiring him in a trade that sent Steve Blake to the Golden State Warriors. Bazemore averaged 13.1 points per game through 28 appearances. But the Lakers passed on giving him a qualifying offer to avoid having a $3 million caphold to secure his position go against their salary cap. The Lakers already have $37 million of next season’s $63 million salary cap committed to Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Robert Sacre and rookie Julius Randle. The Lakers would like to secure as much as the money left available to entice LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

If the Lakers had made Bazemore a restricted free agent, they would have had the rights to match any offer he received.

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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

NBA free agency: Lakers reach out to Nick Young

Lakers' Nick Young thought he had a three point shot at the end of the third period, but it was called back during second half action at Staples Center Sunday, March 30, 2014.  Lakers defeated the Suns 115-99.  ( Photo by David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News )

Lakers’ Nick Young thought he had a three point shot at the end of the third period, but it was called back during second half action at Staples Center Sunday, March 30, 2014. Lakers defeated the Suns 115-99. ( Photo by David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News )

The Lakers reiterated something to Nick Young’s representatives on Monday night that have been featured on countless billboards throughout Los Angeles.

The Lakers would like Young to stay. The Lakers were among “a lot of interested teams” to have contacted Young’s representatives, according to a league source familiar with the situation.

After averaging a team-leading 17.9 points on 43.4 percent shooting, Young opted out of his $1.2 million player option in hopes of receiving a longer and more expensive contract with the Lakers. Young told this newspaper two weeks ago that he would like a multi-year deal, though he is willing to take a hometown discount if he has a similar role with the Lakers this season.

The Lakers like Young’s scoring and entertaining personality. But they are reluctant to offer multi-year deals to all role players so they can maximize purchasing power for LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony as well as future free agents in 2015 (Kevin Love) and 2016 (Kevin Durant).

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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

NBA free agency: Lakers make Ryan Kelly restricted free agent

in the first quarter during an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Calif., on Friday, April 4, 2014.  (Keith Birmingham Pasadena Star-News)

in the first quarter during an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Calif., on Friday, April 4, 2014.
(Keith Birmingham Pasadena Star-News)

The Lakers took a small step in providing clarity to their nearly barren roster, extending reserve forward Ryan Kelly with a $1.1 million qualifying offer that will make him a restricted free agent.

The move was expected after Kelly averaged eight points on 42.3 percent shooting and 33.8 percent from three-point range after the Lakers selected him with the 48th pick of the 2013 NBA Draft. The Lakers went against offering an extended qualifying offer to reserve forward Kent Bazemore in hopes to maximize cap space to pursue LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony in free agency.

The Lakers have a $3 million cap hold to secure Kelly, but he likely gained the edge because there are fewer power forwards he will have to compete on the open market than Bazemore. Kelly made $490,180 this season and would likely only need a slight raise to secure him. By making Kelly a restricted free agent, the Lakers have the right to match any offer he receives from other teams. Although Kelly will entertain those offers, he prefers playing with the Lakers after receiving plenty of opportunities to develop.

RELATED:

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NBA free agency: Lakers’ Kent Bazemore won’t receive qualifying offer to become restricted free agent

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

Nick Young wants multi-year deal with Lakers; willing to take hometown discount

LakersÕ Nick Young thought he had a three point shot at the end of the third period, but it was called back during second half action at Staples Center Sunday, March 30, 2014.  Lakers defeated the Suns 115-99.  ( Photo by David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News )

LakersÕ Nick Young thought he had a three point shot at the end of the third period, but it was called back during second half action at Staples Center Sunday, March 30, 2014. Lakers defeated the Suns 115-99. ( Photo by David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News )

With every joke and laugh, Nick Young’s positive energy oozed through the phone as frequently as one of his scoring binges that made him a rare bright spot during a dreary Lakers’ season.

The man who calls himself “Swaggy P” just came off a recent vacation in Cabo, Mexico. The man who entertained Lakers fans with his infectious personality plans to travel Thursday for a weekend trip in London where he insists he is modeling a fashion show. But underneath those fun and seemingly care-free times entails some uncertainty Young will experience in hopes to maximize his contract.

Though he considers the Lakers “his first choice,” Young will opt out of his $1.2 million player option before the June 25 deadline. That would allow Young both to test the open market as an unrestricted free agent beginning July 1 and possibly leverage a larger deal with the Lakers. Young sounded specific with what he hoped the Lakers could offer after averaging a team-leading 17.9 points on 43.4 percent shooting primarily as a backup forward.

“Just more years. I believe I deserve more,” Young said Wednesday in an interview with this newspaper. “That’s up to my agent to do that for me. The Lakers are home, but things could happen. With free agency this year, it’s going to be crazy to see.”

The Lakers have only Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Robert Sacre signed for the 2014-15 season, leaving them with up to 12 players they will need to fill on the roster. The Lakers will reserve one of those spots presumably for their seventh pick of the 2014 NBA Draft on June 26. But what about Young?

“I think I could stick to my same role and help out Kobe,” Young said. “He has to come out of the game sometime. If they get another good player, they have to come out of the game sometime. I’ll be their Jamal Crawford. The Clippers have a Sixth Man of the Year. The Lakers need to have one too.”

The Lakers generally like Young for his prolific scoring, positive attitude and entertainment value. Case in point, Lakers Nation, a fan site, promoted a so-called “Stay Swag” campaign that Young called “dope.” But the Lakers feel reluctant to offer any role player, such as Young, more than a one-year deal. The Lakers want to maximize cap flexibility to pursue high profile players, such as LeBron James in 2014, Kevin Love in 2015 or Kevin Durant in 2016.

Young did not outline what dollar figure he wanted, though he joked he told Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak that he needs “two years at $50 million to come back.” The Lakers signed Bryant for the next two years worth $48.5 million. Young sounded serious about considering a hometown discount.

“It depends how much the discount is,” Young said. “But as a player, everyone wants a place they feel comfortable at. I feel comfortable in L.A. But I can’t keep taking these discounts. I need a raise a little bit. But if it’s for the right cost and they’re bringing in players and I fit into the rotation, then I’ll probably take a pay cut.”
Continue reading “Nick Young wants multi-year deal with Lakers; willing to take hometown discount” »