Lakers News: Ed Davis Plans To Opt Out, Hopes To Re-Sign

Ed Davis has been nothing short of a revelation for the Lakers this year after coming to Los Angeles on a minimum contract this summer. The deal included a player option for the second year, which has long been assumed to be declined by Davis in hopes of a better deal.

Fortunately for Laker fans, it sounds like Davis wants to return to the team that has given him his best shot at playing time yet. In an article from Mark Medina of the Daily News, Davis revealed that he does plan on opting out this summer, but he hopes to return to the Lakers on a multi-year deal.

"Davis said in an interview with the Los Angeles News Group that he will opt out of his player option worth around $1 million that would secure his Lakers’ future for the 2015-16 season for one specific reason.“I’m hoping for a long-term deal,” said Davis, who has until June 25 before formally deciding his move. “I’d love to return here. I know this will turn around eventually.”“This is definitely my first option,” Davis said of the Lakers. “They’re a team that gave me a look last summer when not too many teams were calling. This is definitely where I want to be at. Hopefully I can stay here for the rest of my career.”"

In his breakout year, Davis has averaged 8.0 points and 7.3 rebounds in 24.1 minutes per game. More impressive, he’s averaging just over a block a game and has been the best rim protector the Lakers have had all season. He is one of the more prolific offensive rebounders in the league, with his offensive rebounding percentage of 13.3% ranking 7th in the league.

Quite surprisingly, his offensive rating of 124.4 is 6th in the league, albeit in a relatively limited sample size compared to the likes of Stephen Curry or James Harden. However, no matter what way you spin it, Davis has been a superb piece of the Lakers this year.

Davis could likely command a contract smaller than that of teammate’s Jordan Hill‘s $9 million per year, which was seen as the Lakers overpaying to keep flexibility with his second year being a team option.

Would you like to keep Davis around? Let us know in the comments below!

Next: Ed Davis: The Under-Utilized and Under-Appreciated Laker

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