Lakers' Walton hustling for new contract
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton looked invigorated in front of his family and friends Saturday.
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The ex-Arizona basketball star scored 19 points and grabbed five rebounds against the Phoenix Suns in his hometown of San Diego.
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When the regular season starts next week, Walton could use those types of numbers to help him land a contract extension with the Lakers or a free-agent deal. He's in the final year of a two-year deal that pays him $1.25 million.
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"Yeah, I'm playing for a contract,'' Walton told the Long Beach (Calif.) Press-Enterprise. "I'll be a free agent next year. But it's not something I'm worried about right now. I just play the game and let the rest take care of itself."