L.A. Times: If five Lakers are seeking extra motivation this season, all they have to do is riffle through the pages of their contracts.
Almost one-third of the roster could be in its final season with the team: Kwame Brown ($9.1 million this season), Chris Mihm ($2.5 million), Sasha Vujacic ($1.8 million), Maurice Evans ($1.7 million) and Ronny Turiaf ($770,610).
They each have unique circumstances written into the fine print of their careers, let alone their contracts.
* Brown has been largely a bust since his 2005 arrival in the trade that sent Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins to Washington. Only 25, Brown will have to play much better this season to warrant a deal similar to the three-year, $25-million contract he signed before being traded to the Lakers. He will be an unrestricted free agent next July.
* Mihm, after sitting out last season because of ankle surgery, took a steep pay cut and accepted a two-year, $5-million contract. He can opt out of it after this season and become an unrestricted free agent again.
* Vujacic, 23, is one of four players fighting for time at point guard. The Lakers have until Oct. 31 to sign him to an extension, or, more likely, he becomes a restricted free agent July 1.
* Evans, 28, averaged career-bests of 8.4 points and 22.8 minutes a game last season, although his 43.2% shooting was a career low. He will be an unrestricted free agent.
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Please do not sign Kwame back if he doesn’t have a ok year let him move on. Sasha is solid at the 2, maybe sign him back for two year depending on Farmar and Critt.
Turiaf and Evans (and maybe Mihn, if he isn’t stupid enought to ask for a big contract) would be my only priorities. Vujacic is totally worthless, and Kwame would only be useful at minimum salary.
I agree full heartedly. Kwame is looking at a HUGE pay cut. If he gets signed for anywhere near what he’s paid now, then it won’t be with L.A. Also, Vujacic is a nice guy to have around if you can pay him 800k a year. I’m not sure that would even be legal according to CBA, so he’s probably gone too.