He isn't fleeing the Lakers as much as he's seeking a better opportunity to show what kind of player he's capable of being.
"It's nothing personal against the Lakers at all, because I've loved just about everything about playing for this organization," Farmar said. "But I am at a point in my career where I want a chance to start, to see what kind of player I can be while playing (big) minutes."
And he just doesn't see that materializing with the Lakers, not with them seemingly committed to bringing back Derek Fisher for at least one more season, and certainly not after they signed veteran Steve Blake on Friday to either back Fisher up or possibly start if Fisher goes elsewhere.
In any case, Farmar did not sense a strong opportunity to start next year for the Lakers, which is why he and his agent asked them not to exercise their right to make him an offer, an appeal they honored a day before the start of free agency.
For Farmar it represented a classy gesture by the Lakers, and it expanded his opportunities considerably.
Had the Lakers extended an offer, it would have made Farmar a restricted free agent, meaning the Lakers could have matched any contract offer to him by another team.
That would have severely limited his marketability, other teams fearful they'd just be wasting their time chasing him if the Lakers had the final say in whether they brought him back.
But by waiving the right - and surrendering any chance at compensation if he leaves - the Lakers granted Farmar complete freedom to find a job and team that best suits him.
And for that, he is grateful.
"I really appreciate what they did, because they didn't have to, they could have treated me like a piece of real estate and potentially hurt my ability to take a serious look at what might be out there for me," Farmar said. "So for that, I am thankful."
"I love everything about the organization, my teammates and this city," Farmar said. "But ultimately I want a chance to start, and it's something I looked forward to every single year here, but it just never happened. All I've ever wanted was a legitimate chance to start."
It's an opportunity he always wanted with the Lakers, but due to circumstances it was never afforded to him.
"I'd come into training camp every season expecting and hoping this would be the year I'd get a legitimate chance to start or play bigger minutes," Farmar said. "I would work all offseason with that hope, that goal in mind.
"But it never happened. And I understand, Fish was there and obviously it was his job, so I just had to respect that and try to do the best I could in the minutes I did get. But I can't say I wasn't frustrated at times, because I'm a competitor and I wanted to contribute more."
good read, good luck to jordan.
+ 
= 
