Kent Bazemore rumors: San Antonio Spurs show interest
The Los Angeles Lakers have several free agents they will have to make decisions on.
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In fact, aside from guard Kobe Bryant, point guard Steve Nash and big man Robert Sacre, no other Lakers’ player is under contract. Last season, several wing players stepped up for the Lakers and put together solid seasons despite the Lakers posting a record of 27-55, sixth-worst in the league. Nick Young, Jodie Meeks and Wesley Johnson all exceeded expectations. As did Kent Bazemore after he was acquired from the Golden State Warriors in the Steve Blake trade.
One decision has already been made – the Detroit Pistons agreed to a three-year, $19.5 million deal with Meeks.
That could force the Lakers to turn their attention to Bazemore, but they could have big competition.
According to David Pick of Eurobasket.com, ONE.co.il and Sportando.com, the San Antonio Spurs have had conversations with Bazemore.
San Antonio have initiated conversations with Kent Bazemore, I'm told. Spurs join multiple teams to explore interest.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) July 1, 2014
Bazemore has been overlooked early in his career, but was productive when given the opportunity and put in the right system (in his case, Mike D’Antoni’s system, which is very guard-friendly). That sounds a lot like a Spurs player (see Danny Green with the Spurs and Danny Green beforehand with the Cleveland Cavaliers and his first season in San Antonio).
Bazemore averaged 6.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game on the season while shooting 42.9% from the field, 33.6% from beyond the arc and 60.5% from the free throw line. He was much better after joining the Lakers, averaging 13.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 45.1% from the floor, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 64.4% from the charity stripe.