With the Los Angeles Lakers season coming to a close sooner than some may like, the team must start to switch gears and focus on the offseason and the upcoming free agency run. With Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash under contract for next season already, which other players stay and which go? With the situation of head coach Mike D'Antoni still unresolved, will that determine which players come back in 2014?
The only players that appear to be a lock to return in 2014 are Bryant and Nash. Bryant is fresh off a large two-year contract extension while Mitch Kupchak has announced the Lakers will let Nash finish out the final year of his contract before the point guard likely retires. So who is next? Xavier Henry is hoping he is. The 12th overall pick back in 2010 did not work out for the Memphis Grizzlies, but he has played well for the Lakers. Currently playing through a one-year deal, Henry is putting up 10.0 points 2.7 rebounds in limited action.
"For a lot of guys on one-year deals and not knowing what they're going to do in the summer, there could be a lot more controversy with players trying to go on their own," Henry said, via RealGM.com. "But guys are really trying to commit to the team aspect, and I like that. The camaraderie is pretty good. We all want to win and we are all dedicated to working."
Jodie Meeks is saying the same thing. The big man is one of many Lakers working off a one-year deal, hoping to return in the rebuilding year. The veteran guard admits he is simply trying to stay positive, telling ESPN that he would like to stay and work hard for the Lakers, but right now he knows he must be patient.
Another player waiting to find out his fate is Nick Young. He currently holds a $1.2 million player option for next season, but has been playing so well, he could certainly demand more if he wants on the open market. Young could be in search of a multi-year deal, something the Lakers may not be willing to negotiate with him considering they have several needs to be met.
D'Antoni's status could determine a lot. The head coach is technically still under contract for next year and the Los Angeles Times reports the team is leaning towards not firing him. That could mean Pau Gasol is a lock to leave since the two have had their differences this year. Nash says that some players, especially Bryant, have not been a good fit with D'Anotni. Gasol is just one of them.
"I wouldn't disagree," Nash said, via ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd. "We've seen that. People have deduced and read between the lines and felt that way, they're not wrong. It's not the perfect marriage."
The Lakers have a lot of decisions to make. With most of their roster one expiring deals, they must decide who is worth keeping and who gets let go.
