LAKERS UPDATE: HUNTER DECIDES HE'LL STAY.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

Lindsey Hunter, who had the option to terminate the last two years of his contract and become a free agent, has elected to stay with the Lakers.

Hunter's agent, Mark Bartlestein, informed the team of his decision Friday afternoon.

Although Hunter was frustrated with his role - he averaged 7.3 minutes per game in the playoffs - Bartlestein said his client ``is excited about coming back. He likes playing for Phil (Jackson) and we'll see what happens.''

Bartlestein gave no indication that Hunter would seek a trade, although given the Lakers' budget concerns, that remains a possibility.

Hunter is due $3 million next season and $3.3 million in 2003-04, with makable incentives that could boost the total to $8.1 million over two seasons. As a free agent, Hunter would have found it difficult to match those figures.

``There's a lot of interest in Lindsey around the league,'' Bartlestein said, ``but with the luxury tax and so few teams having cap room, it just doesn't make sense to opt out of the contract right now.''

With Hunter in the fold, the Lakers have eight players under contract for next season. Samaki Walker also recently exercised an option to stay. The team recently tendered a qualifying offer to Slava Medvedenko, making him a restricted free agent.

``Our biggest challenge this offseason was the fact we had potentially seven free agents,'' said general manager Mitch Kupchak. ``Fortunately, in the last five days, two of the seven have chosen to stay. That makes our offseason a little bit more encouraging, going forward.''