NBA: 15 potential ‘under-the-radar’ free agent moves
Brandon Bass, PF (Los Angeles Lakers)
A free agent in 2015, Brandon Bass chose to take a one-year deal with a player option for a second. The thinking was, rather than shoot for job security, Bass would have control over his choices this offseason when the salary cap balloons. If Bass feels his market value exceeded the $3 million player option, he could choose to hit the open market.
In April, Brandon Bass made that plan clear.
Lakers F Brandon Bass to decline 2016-17 player option, become unrestricted free agent this summer, league source informs @clevelanddotcom.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) April 20, 2016
You can’t really blame him for believing he could get more money. Bass was among the Lakers’ most consistent players off of the bench, posting 12.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per each 36 minutes while shooting 54.9% from the field.
Bass is the ideal role player. He’s a hard worker who has played efficient basketball in every uniform he has donned. Coming off of the bench for the NBA’s second worst team – while being overshadowed by Kobe Bryant’s farewell tour – is not the best way to place yourself in the front of NBA fans’ minds, but it’s doubtful that NBA GMs are also underrating his value.
Bass would work well coming off the bench for a team that slows the pace … perhaps someone like the New York Knicks, who would definitely need help at power forward.
Next: J.R.