The Lakers are ready to take their chances in free agency.
Los Angeles declined its team option on the second year of Jordan Hill's contract, which was worth $9 million, an NBA source told Sporting News. The rebounding big man will hit free agency, and the Lakers will open up their books for a major offseason chase.
The Lakers only are on the books for Kobe Bryant ($25 million), Nick Young ($5.2 million), Julius Randle ($3.1 million), Ryan Kelly ($1.7 million) and a few minimum contracts next season. That positioning allows them enough room to make a run at a maximum-contract-caliber free agent, such as LaMarcus Aldridge or Kevin Love.
Hill will command interest among teams looking for a big man, but he was not worth the massive contract the Lakers game him largely as a trade-enabler last season. The No. 8 pick of the 2009 NBA Draft averaged 12.0 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.