Milwaukee Bucks guard Monta Ellis announced yesterday his decision to opt out of the last year of contract deal, making him a free agent this summer, and a target for many teams to sign.

The Bucks reportedly had offered Ellis a two-year, $24 million extension earlier this month, but the offer was contingent on him not opting out of the final season of his contract.

Ellis, who had one year, $11 million left on his contract, will become one of the most coveted free agents this summer, and sources say the Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers have expressed interest in signing Ellis.

This would be a big signing for the Lakers, but possibility of landing Ellis depends on an unlikely sign-and-trade deal.

Ellis led the Bucks with 19.2 points per game in the regular season, his eighth in the NBA after being drafted by the Golden State Warriors 40th overall in 2005.

Ellis and Lakers free agent to-be Dwight Howard are close friends, and have long desired to play with each other. Signing Ellis would have improved the Lakers chances of re-signing Howard this offseason.

Howard's likely thinking about the future and signing with the Lakers will surely ensure another difficult season for Howard in the future. In the summer of 2014, while other stars will become free agents, the Lakers would only have Howard and Steve Nash under contract and will likely be in the process of rebuilding for the 2014-15 season.

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