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Kobe Bryant Is Done … Now What For The Los Angeles Lakers?

By Gerald Bourguet

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers walks towards the tunnel after scoring 60 points against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers walks towards the tunnel after scoring 60 points against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Kobe Bryant
Nov 29, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak speaks to the media before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

What’s Next For The Roster

If the Lakers are smart, they’ll continue to be patient and follow this longer path to rebuilding around their youth and draft picks. But for a franchise that’s used to having the nicest things, Kobe Bryant’s departure could launch the front office into a pattern of hasty, shortsighted moves to make the team competitive sooner rather than later.

With a 17-65 record, the Lakers finished with the second-lowest win percentage in the NBA. That gives them a 19.9 percent chance at the No. 1 pick and a 55.8 percent chance at getting a top-three pick, which the Lakers need in order to keep their first-rounder, since it’ll be sent to the Philadelphia 76ers if it falls to No. 4 or lower.

The Lakers will also have the 32nd overall pick, which is encouraging considering the front office unearthed Larry Nance Jr. at No. 27 last year.

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Austin Reaves has eerily similar year two numbers with this Lakers legend
Austin Reaves has eerily similar year two numbers with this Lakers legend /

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    • Even if the Lakers retain their projected draft position at No. 2, they’ll be getting either Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram — players that fit a position of need on the wing and could serve as potential franchise cornerstones in a capacity that neither Russell, Randle nor Clarkson has fully proven capable of handling just yet.

    But then comes free agency, when the Lakers are most in danger of tripping over themselves trying to add a marquee name. With guys like Kevin Durant, Hassan Whiteside, Al Horford, Harrison Barnes, Mike Conley, Nicolas Batum and even Pau Gasol possibly available, the Lakers are going to have all that extra summer cash burning a hole in their pockets.

    Now that the season is over, the contracts of Kobe Bryant ($25 million), Roy Hibbert ($15.6 million), Robert Sacre ($1 million) and Metta World Peace ($0.9 million) will all come off the books. The team is reportedly trying to trade the remaining two years and $11 million on his contract, but even if they fail, the NBA’s salary cap will be jumping from $70 million to a projected $89 million for next season.

    With all that extra cap space and the ever-present lure of Hollywood on their side, the Lakers will be trying to attract top-tier talent. But any delusions of KD or other game-changing stars should really be dulled down to the smarter, less sexy option of signing decent players to prudent, short-term contracts.

    And if a veteran like Horford, Batum or Gasol is interested in coming to Los Angeles, it should be with the intent of providing the youngsters with positive locker room influences, not retooling the roster with harebrained moves meant to get the Lakers back to the playoffs.

    Next: A New Era

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