Report: Bazemore takes less money, years from Lakers over Dubs

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Two months ago, Kent Bazemore alluded to wanting a multi-year contract in NBA free agency this summer.

The former Warriors guard didn't get his wish, and it appears it was his decision.

Bazemore's agent Austin Walton informed The Athletic's Shams Charania on Monday night that the veteran guard has agreed to a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

USA Today's Mark Medina reported a few minutes later that Bazemore actually turned down more money from the Warriors to join the Lakers, in large part because he sees Los Angeles as an NBA title contender and they offered him a bigger role than what Golden State could.

Charania reported moments later, citing sources, that not only did Bazemore turn down more money from the Warriors, but they offered him a two-year contract, which he passed up on.

The Warriors and Lakers both qualified for the Western Conference play-in tournament, with Los Angeles advancing to the playoffs before losing in the first round to the eventual conference champion Phoenix Suns. Golden State was unable to advance out of the play-in, losing to the Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Lakers have spent much of the free agency period on Monday retooling their roster around LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the soon-to-be-acquired Russell Westbrook, while the Warriors are expecting a healthy Klay Thompson to rejoin the lineup in December, and are looking to add complimentary pieces to the roster.

Bazemore returns to the Lakers, where he spent the 2013-14 season.

Bazemore, 32, returned to the Warriors for a second tour of duty last season, and after a rocky start to the year, he moved into the starting lineup for the final five weeks.

Overall last season, Bazemore averaged 7.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 67 games. Once he move into the starting line, his numbers ticked up to 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 17 games.

In early June, Bazemore told The Mercury News' Wes Goldberg that he wasn't looking for a one-year contract and sought to find a home for several years.

"I want some stability, man," Bazemore said to Goldberg. "Tired of bouncing around. Wife is definitely sick of it. She's human, man. Every time she gets goin', it's time to go again. She's been great. Obviously it's been hard for her -- she let me off the hook a couple time. I'm really thinking hard about that, what she wants.

"My son will be 3 next April, so it's time for school, all these kind of things. I'm looking at it as ... I'm wearing a different hat now. The basketball will take care of itself with this being my 10th season. I just want to make sure I can get the small things right."

RELATED: Bazemore reveals Steph suffered hairline fracture in tailbone

Clearly something changed between June 2 and Aug. 2 that caused Bazemore to turn down a multi-year contract offer from the Warriors.

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