Los Angeles Lakers

Brandon Bass to opt out of Lakers contract to become a free agent

Published Apr. 20, 2016 1:08 p.m. ET

Brett Pollakoff

When the Lakers signed Brandon Bass to a two-year contract last summer, it was almost certain that Bass would only play out the first year of that deal.

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

The second year was a player option for just $3,135,000, and with the salary cap spiking this summer, Bass will command far more than that as an unrestricted free agent.

Bass averaged 7.2 points and 4.3 rebounds in 20.3 minutes per game for the Lakers this season, while playing exclusively in a reserve role off the bench. He shot a craeer-best 54.9 percent from the field, and was one of L.A.'s most consistent performers.