NBA: Lakers point guard Ramon Sessions opts out, joins free agency

Once again, the Los Angeles Lakers will have to address their deficiencies at the point guard position, after Ramon Sessions declined his player option to become a free agent this off-season, the LA Times’ Mike Bresnahan reported.          

Point guard Ramon Sessions will not exercise a player option to stay with the Lakers and will become a free agent, The Times has learned.

— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) June 19, 2012

Sessions turned down a guaranteed $4.5 million for the 2012-13 season in the hopes of securing a more long-term contract.   The Lakers acquired him during the 2012 trade deadline, along with Christian Eyenga, from the Cleveland Cavaliers, with LA sending back a protected 2012 first round draft pick, shooter Jason Kapono, and Luke Walton.   In a separate deal, the Lakers made room for Sessions on the roster by sending veteran Derek Fisher and a 2012 first round pick to the Houston Rockets for big man Jordan Hill.   Over 23 regular season games as the Lakers’ starter, Sessions averaged 12.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 0.7 steals. But those numbers dropped sharply in the playoffs to just 9.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.58 assists and 0.33 steals.   Sessions actually joins a stacked point guard free agent class that includes Deron Williams, Steve Nash, Aaron Brooks, Jason Kidd, Andre Miller and Jason Terry. - AMD, GMA News