The Los Angeles Lakers are trying to figure out the best way to continue the season that teetering on the edge of the playoffs. The Lakers have shown potential to put together some wins this season while struggling at other times with injuries and inconsistencies. The Lakers are aware that they have a big offseason ahead with Kobe Bryant being the main recruiting piece for free agents. His health will be a big factor in that effort which has the Lakers considering shutting him down for the season.
According to head coach Byron Scott via the Los Angeles Times, if the Lakers are nowhere near the playoffs come March, Bryant could be shut down for the remainder of the season. The Lakers are trying to be very careful in how they handle the long-term health of the veteran and if there is no sense in playing him then they will not.
Looking at the Lakers season so far, the chances Bryant is shutdown are very strong. Right now, the Lakers are on pace to win 26 games this year. The Phoenix Suns are currently occupying the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and they are on pace to get 47 wins. So, Los Angeles is not making the postseason which means the future of Bryant, at least for this season, might be done.
The Los Angeles Times reports the Lakers are thinking bigger picture when it comes to Bryant and have had internal meeting discussing how to preserve his health for the final year of his contract. The veteran is set to earn $23.5 million this season and another $25 million next season before likely retiring from the league. That means the Lakers have one more year with the All-Star and hope to make it a productive one.
"A lot of it is trying to preserve [Bryant] as much as possible," Scott said, via the Los Angeles Times. "That's the biggest thing, to be honest with you, is just trying to make sure that he can get through this season healthy - relatively healthy - and get ready for the next season as well. This is going to be game by game. And I think it's going to be that way until the end of the season or until March or February if we ever decide to say, 'OK, let's just shut it down for the rest of the season.' We haven't got nowhere near that point at this particular time."
The Lakers will be targeting big names in free agency and trades in the upcoming year. They have already called about deals for Brandon Jennings and Greg Monroe while also likely looking at Brook Lopez, LaMarcus Aldridge and Goran Dragic when free agency approaches. With stars like Carlos Boozer and Jeremy Lin likely not returning, the Lakers are ready to load up on talent for Bryant.