National Basketball Association

Lakers G Sessions won't exercise player option

Published Jun. 19, 2012 7:42 p.m. ET

foxsports

Los Angeles Lakers guard Ramon Sessions is declining his player option for next season to test free agency.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said Tuesday he wishes Sessions had picked up the $4.55 million option for next year, but the club will still make an effort to sign the point guard.

Sessions took over as the Lakers' starting point guard shortly after they acquired him from Cleveland near the trade deadline. Los Angeles also traded longtime starter Derek Fisher in a separate deal.

Sessions averaged 12.7 points, 6.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 23 regular-season games, revitalizing the Lakers with his speed and playmaking. But he largely struggled in the postseason, averaging 6.8 points and 3.0 assists in the first playoff experience of his five-year NBA career.