Lakers make Ryan Kelly, not Kent Bazemore, a restricted free agent
The Lakers have given Ryan Kelly a $1-million qualifying offer, making the former Duke forward a restricted free agent.
Kelly was selected by the Lakers with the 48th pick in the 2013 NBA draft.
After a slow start as he recovered from April 2013 foot surgery, Kelly become a regular contributor this season, averaging 8.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks a game after the All-Star break.
The Lakers have chosen not to give guard/forward Kent Bazemore a qualifying offer of $1.1 million. He’ll become an unrestricted free agent this week.
Bazemore was acquired, along with MarShon Brooks, before the February trade deadline in a deal that sent guard Steve Blake to Golden State. Bazemore currently is recovering from a foot injury that required surgery in April.
The Lakers can begin negotiating with free agents at 9:01 p.m. PDT Monday.
Only Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Robert Sacre and Kendall Marshall are under contract for next season. Marshall’s $915,243 salary is not guaranteed.
The team also drafted Kentucky forward Julius Randle on Thursday with the seventh overall pick, and traded with the Washington Wizards for the 46th pick, guard Jordan Clarkson.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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