[bears9]

HONOLULU -- If five Lakers are seeking extra motivation this season, all they have to do is riffle through the pages of their contracts.

Almost one-third of the roster could be in its final season with the team: Kwame Brown ($9.1 million this season), Chris Mihm ($2.5 million), Sasha Vujacic ($1.8 million), Maurice Evans ($1.7 million) and Ronny Turiaf ($770,610).

They each have unique circumstances written into the fine print of their careers, let alone their contracts.

* Brown has been largely a bust since his 2005 arrival in the trade that sent Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins to Washington. Only 25, Brown will have to play much better this season to warrant a deal similar to the three-year, $25-million contract he signed before being traded to the Lakers. He will be an unrestricted free agent next July.

* Mihm, after sitting out last season because of ankle surgery, took a steep pay cut and accepted a two-year, $5-million contract. He can opt out of it after this season and become an unrestricted free agent again.

* Vujacic, 23, is one of four players fighting for time at point guard. The Lakers have until Oct. 31 to sign him to an extension, or, more likely, he becomes a restricted free agent July 1.

* Evans, 28, averaged career-bests of 8.4 points and 22.8 minutes a game last season, although his 43.2% shooting was a career low. He will be an unrestricted free agent.

* Turiaf, 24, brings a ball of energy to almost every game, but he becomes a restricted free agent if the Lakers don't sign him to an extension by Oct. 31.

The Lakers typically have three or four free-agent possibilities on their roster, but five is a bit high.

Free agency looms over Lakers' season