The Los Angeles Lakers are prepared to have one of their biggest offseasons in recent years. They will be forced to make some decisions regarding the team's biggest players. As futures remain uncertain for the likes of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Metta World Peace and Dwight Howard, general manager Mitch Kupchak is looking at all options regarding the players and the looming luxury tax burden.
The Lakers are millions of dollars above the salary cap for 2013-14. That is not a good look for players with expiring contracts. The franchise has one unused amnesty provision provided under the new collective bargaining agreement that that can essentially erase a player from the salary cap calculations. It would severely ease the nine-figure luxury tax issue. Kupchak is aware of the amnesty provision, he just is not sure exactly what to do with it.
"It's a tool we're aware of. We have not decided if we will use it. It's just a tool we know is available. We feel our players have value, but there is always a financial component to this business and the new collective bargaining agreement made some significant changes that we need to be aware of," Kupchak said.
The Lakers can only use the provision to players signed prior to Dec. 2011, leaving four player's eligible. Bryant, Gasol, Steve Blake and MWP are all up for grabs. Bryant is currently nursing a season-ending Achilles tear. Gasol as one year remaining on his deal and is always at risk of being cut. MWP has a player option after this season that he is expected to exercise.
The Lakers will need to make an amnesty decision that will fix the financial crisis immediately, leaving Bryant at the top of the list. Is risking a war against the franchise's top player worth the risk? It would save the Lakers over $60 million in tax obligations. Bryant has high trade value and could give Los Angeles a great player in return, but again Kupchak will have to wage this risk. Bryant is the face of the franchise and the general manager will not gain any fans by cutting him.
Kupchak might not be confident about the amnesty issue, but he is confident one of the season's biggest free agents in Dwight Howard will be back in Hollywood. Kupchak stressed in a recent interview that his confidence has not wavered and he truly believes the Lakers will retain Howard for seasons to come. Kupchak said Howard has earned the right to be a free agent, and Los Angeles will do everything they can to keep him on the team.