The Lakers lost eight of their 12 contests in February, but they ended the month on a good note by beating the Kings in a close game last night. As the club looks to move forward and make progress in March, let’s round up the latest news out of Los Angeles:
- Pau Gasol writes on his personal blog that while he’s open to re-signing with the Lakers, loyalty and salary–two things in Los Angeles’s favor–will take a back seat to a chance to win as he seeks a team in free agency this summer. “My franchise has the chance of offering me more money and a longer contract, but that’s not all that’s going to matter as far as my decision,” writes Gasol. “Honestly I’m not ruling out renewing my contract, I’m just open to every option… I want to be in a team with a real chance of winning a ring and where I can help to compete for it. I would like to win another championship. The financial side comes second at this stage of my career.” (translation via HoopsHype.)
- Mike Bresnahan of The Los Angeles Times takes a look at the Lakers’ draft odds. If they finished with the fourth-worst record, for which they’re currently tied with the Celtics, they would have a reasonable shot at the first overall pick. But the storied franchise isn’t proud of losing so much this year, and team employees tell Bresnahan that the silver lining of a top draft pick would be tempered by worries of a bust. You can see how the Lakers’ odds are faring with our reverse standings.
- Jordan Farmar scored a career-high 30 points last night, which is quite the turnaround for the 27-year-old. After six productive seasons in the league, Farmar spent last year in Turkey and much of this campaign recovering from a torn hamstring. He’s finally back to playing NBA basketball, and tells Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com that he isn’t concerned whether he remains a bench player or receives an increased role: “I don’t care. I don’t care, man,” said Farmar. “It’s just trying to play good basketball when I’m in there, have fun with whoever is out there on the floor with me.”
Cray Allred contributed to this post