McAdoo Is Free Agent, at Lakers’ Behest : Team Declines to Exercise Option on Center-Forward’s Contract

What to do about McAdoo?

That was the question facing the Lakers, and they answered it Thursday when General Manager Jerry West said the team would not exercise its option on Bob McAdoo’s contract.

This does not necessarily mean that McAdoo is through as a Laker, although that is probably the result.

The 6-11 center-forward, who has been with the Lakers the last four seasons, is now a free agent.

Even so, the Lakers hold the right of first refusal, meaning they could match an offer from another team and retain McAdoo.

“We appreciate the job Bob has done for us and recognize his contributions,” West said. “We’re hopeful that we can reach an agreement so Bob can return to the Lakers.”

If McAdoo does return, he undoubtedly will make less than the $979,000 he would have made had the Lakers picked up the option on his contract.

McAdoo came to the Lakers in a trade with the New Jersey Nets in December 1981, then signed a three-year contract before the 1982-83 season, with an option for 1985-86.

The Lakers, by not picking up the option, gain maneuverability they would not otherwise have under the league’s salary cap. A team may replace a veteran free agent at 100% of what he last made, even if the team is over the cap, which the Lakers are.

Since McAdoo earned $933,000 last season, with $310,000 of that deferred, the Lakers can use the entire amount for another player if McAdoo signs with another team.

McAdoo was unavailable for comment Thursday, but the move was not totally unexpected.

After the second game of the NBA championship series with Boston, McAdoo told The Times’ Thomas Bonk: “As far as I’m feeling, the only way that I can make it back on this squad is if we win.

“I have been on every kind of team in this league and I’ve had a lot of things happen to me over my career. This is just something else. But you can say I’m kind of paranoid about the situation.”

Apparently, he had reason to feel paranoid. The Lakers did not pick up the option, even though McAdoo helped them beat the Celtics. It was the team’s second NBA championship during McAdoo’s four years as a Laker.

McAdoo, 34, is the third-leading scorer among active NBA players with 18,493 points. Last season, he averaged 10.5 points in 66 regular-season games and 11.4 points in 19 playoff games.

McAdoo has played with five other teams. The Lakers got him from New Jersey for a second-round draft choice and cash.

His other teams were Buffalo, the New York Knicks, Boston and Detroit. The Nets signed him off the waiver list in 1981.

McAdoo has scored 40 or more points in 56 games and has scored more than 50 on four occasions.