The LA Lakers have their eyes on next season already and names like Reggie Jackson, Goran Dragic, Tyler Ennis, Greg Monroe, Rajon Rondo and Kevin Love are potential free agent and trade targets for the team to give Kobe Bryant some support, as he will be coming back after dealing with another serious injury and is hoping that Los Angeles can turn things around quickly in 2015-16.
Bryant is out after getting surgery on his shoulder, but he has already said that he plans on returning next season. Bryant hasn't played a full season in quite some time, but him being out is an advantage, as the Lakers want as bad of a record as they can get. The team gets to keep their draft pick if it's in the top five of the lottery and that would be big if they want to keep adding young talent. Julius Randle was the first round pick last season for LA and he is also sidelined with an injury.
Bryant is hoping that the team can woo some free agents or pull off some trades this summer, as he would like to compete for one more championship before he retires. Bryant is going to be out for up to nine months with the injury according to ESPN.com and that would put him back in action around the start of the season. The report says that Bryant is expected to make a full recovery and that he should be ready for the first game of the season, but potentially not training camp.
The Lakers wanted to target Kevin Love before he was traded to the Cavaliers and if he ends up hitting free agency, they could go after him. Love is unlikely to leave Cleveland right now and that could lead to the Lakers targeting Reggie Jackson, Goran Dragic, Tyler Ennis, Greg Monroe or Michael Carter-Williams. Marc Stein at ESPN.com writes that Jackson could be a potential option for the team, as they have enough money to sign him as a restricted free agent if they want to. Ennis could be an option if the Suns want to keep Dragic, while Dragic has said that he will consider the Lakers in his "open" free agency this summer.
Bryant coming back is a big deal for the Lakers, as the 36 year old is making $23.5 million this season and $25 million next year. While that is a ton of money, Bryant is the main draw for the Lakers and if they can get him some support nest season, there is a good chance they can at least compete for the playoffs in the western conference again. This is the third straight season that Bryant has dealt with a season ending injury and many feel he could retire after next season.
The Lakers have had a tough season and they are 13-35 on the year and they come in after a loss against the NY Knicks. The team is ranked 29th in the league in points per game and 18th in scoring and they are fifth in the Pacific division. Bryant coming back next year is big for the team and they are hoping that moves can be made to turn things around.