NBA Los Angeles Lakers

Future of Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers Muddier Than Ever

Fresh Videos

By @IanClarkMcEwan

Kobe Bryant Looks Pensive

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Kobe Bryant is revered as one of the NBA’s toughest competitors. Thus, it came as a bit of a shock to hear head coach Byron Scott say that the Los Angeles Lakers would give serious thought to shutting Bryant down for the season if the team is not near contending for a playoff spot come March.

The Lakers are currently 10 games back of the eighth-place Phoenix Suns, but perhaps more dauntingly, would have to leapfrog six teams to reach the last playoff spot. In essence, Scott said baring an absolutely historic turnaround, combined with collapses by the teams currently ahead of the Lakers, that Bryant calling it a season come March is a real possibility.

Much like Omar Little from ‘The Wire,’ Bryant is still universally feared around the league despite debilitating injuries and the loss of supporting talent that have dramatically weakened his ability to perform at a high level. Though unlike Little, Bryant has a future that he can save himself for. Unlikely as it may be, perhaps Bryant and the Lakers are best off to cast away the remains of this season, salvage their top five pick they forfeit to Phoenix if it falls after the fifth pick, and try yet again to lure enough free agent talent to contend for a title in what will likely be Bryant’s last season in the NBA.

The other option at the Lakers’ disposable is to try to use their heap of expiring contracts to acquire elite talent and/or assets before this February’s trade deadline. While Steve Nash’s $9 million expiring contract may be enough to swap for a pick, it’s unlikely they have enough to land the kind of package necessary to take a team that is second to last in their conference and turn them into title contenders overnight. This leaves the free agent fray as the Lakers’ best option.

Though free agency is the Lakers’ best chance to complete a quick turnaround of any kind to help Bryant close his career playing meaningful games, it’s hardly a sure thing that any elite free agent will be interested in helping a franchise rebuild nearly from scratch. The list of potential targets is chalk full of talent at nearly every position – LeBron James, Kevin Love, Greg Monroe, Rajon Rondo, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, Marc Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge, Al Jefferson and Kawhi Leonard. Each could fit into the Lakers’ future plans going forward. At this point, the Lakers will enter the summer of 2015 with Bryant, Nick Young, Jordan Hill, Julius Randle and a lot of open roster spaces to fill in around them.

One thing Lakers fans need not worry about is Bryant sabotaging efforts to bring any of the aforementioned players on board for 2015. We’ve seen a humbler Bryant this season, specifically since he decided to take some rest for his aging body in December. While he appears unable to lead a quality team in scoring night in and night out anymore, there’s no doubt he’s shown he has enough left in the tank to contribute to an NBA roster.

Maybe Bryant deserves some blame for Dwight Howard bolting for the Houston Rockets, maybe not. There will be no such unsubstantiated rumors of insubordinate behavior this offseason. If the Lakers fail to lure top talent, the blame will lie with the organization, not Bryant.

Working in the Lakers’ favor is the expectation that the salary cap will see an enormous increase because of a new TV deal. This means the Lakers can spend more without paying any of the punitive luxury tax. With their invincible revenue stream, the Lakers will be able to offer top dollar for top talent.

Time is running out on Bryant’s career. He’s giving the Lakers everything he has to give, and is now paying a steep price – a price he may be forced to pay for the rest of his life. The price for the Lakers to elevate Byrant back toward champion may be steep, but they may yet be able to give him one last chance at glory.

Ian McEwan is a blogger for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @IanClarkMcEwan,“Like”him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. He is not the British author.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on