The Los Angeles Lakers made a wise decision last summer when they signed Brandon Bass to a two-year contract for $6.1 million. The deal was below market value for a player of Bass’ caliber but contained a player option after the first year so that he could opt-out and seek a more lucrative deal this summer.
This was the third time in as many years that the Lakers reeled in a solid rotation player with this type of contract. Nick Young and Ed David both took two-year deals with player options, then opted out for a big pay raise after a solid season with the bright lights of Los Angeles shining upon them.