Hoops Habit
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: This Summer Can’t Be About Kobe Bryant

By Jackson Sanders

Dec 2, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) during the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) during the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Dec 30, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Lakers won 111-103. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Lakers won 111-103. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

A Potential Nightmare Scenario Post-Kobe

The past two seasons have been miserable for Lakers fans. The post-Kobe future could be worse if the team decides to splurge on free agents to aid Bryant in his quest for a sixth title.

Adding an instant-impact star is never a bad idea. Players like Jimmy Butler, Kevin Love or LaMarcus Aldridge would be a welcome addition to any team in the league. If the Lakers land a player of that caliber — a big “if” at the moment — then whether it was done with Kobe at the forefront is irrelevant.

Dec 26, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) dribbles past Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the game at American Airlines Center. Dallas won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) dribbles past Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the game at American Airlines Center. Dallas won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

However, adding a player like Rajon Rondo — a player that Bryant mentioned he would be recruiting — could be a dangerous proposition.

Useful veteran additions will be looking for long-term deals. Those same veterans would be taking up a chunk of money after Kobe has departed, and hamstring the Lakers’ efforts going forward with a new core.

The “best” shopping list will depend on what happens in the upcoming draft, and if the Lakers are able to snare one of those marquee free agents, but the priority needs to be centered around the young pieces on the roster.

Julius Randle could use a rim-protecting paint partner, and it would be helpful for Jordan Clarkson to have an off-the-bench, veteran point guard presence to help him develop at the position.

To Mitch Kupchak‘s credit, he has stated that the team isn’t going to bring in high-priced veterans just to help Kobe, per Baxter Holmes of ESPN.com:

"“To jeopardize the next five or seven years … [by bringing] in old veterans that make a lot of money, just to win one more year, because that’s Kobe’s last year or could be his last year, I’m not sure that fits into doing it the right way.” – Mitch Kupchak"

The only reason to be wary of Mitch Kupchak’s vow is how much pressure is on this team to win immediately. Jeanie Buss is watching, and if the team doesn’t start to turn towards contention, that could be it for Kupchak. While I do believe that Kupchak is an excellent GM, that type of pressure can affect decision-making in a bad way.

If the Lakers let Kobe Bryant factor into their process this summer, the best case scenario is that Lakers’ roster ends up with extra veterans they don’t really need in a year or two.

The worst-case scenario? They hamstring their future by overlooking the pieces that can contribute to a strong core of the future, simply hoping for a one final postseason run for Kobe Bryant.

Next: Looking Forward

Home/Los Angeles Lakers