The Fate of Jordan Farmar

The Los Angeles Times‘ Broderick Turner reports that the Lakers have until Halloween (October 31) to offer Jordan Farmar a contract extension, but reveals that it doesn’t look like it will happen. Turner suggests that Farmar will be a restricted free agent next summer due to the “combination of current payroll and future obligations,” citing the fact that Pau Gasol is up for a new deal in the near future as an example. Says Turner of the Lakers’ situation with Farmar, “Committing to Farmar if they’re not convinced he’ll be a major cog down the road-they’re not, nor should they be-doesn’t make much sense for the Lakers.”

For his part, the fourth-year point guard told the L.A. Times, “There’s always going to be pressure playing in the NBA for the Lakers. That’s just part of the job. This is my first time up for a renewal, so that’s a little different aspect to it. I just try to stay mentally tough and continue to work hard.” This season Farmar will earn $1.947 million and the Lakers have a payroll of $91.3 million (which means they are over the luxury-tax threshold of $69.92 million). Lakers Coach Phil Jackson weighed in on Farmar’s situation saying, “He knows that he’s a desired product in this game. I know he doesn’t feel like this is it for him. He’s got a lot of followers in this game.”

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