Kobe Bryant fully intends to return to the Los Angeles Lakers next season and play out the last year of his contract. Currently undergoing rehab for his third straight season-ending injury, Bryant wants nothing more than to return for the 2015-16 season and compete for one last championship before retirement likely becomes his future. With plenty of salary cap space this offseason, Bryant is aware that right now Los Angeles is not an ideal landing spot for top free agents.
Bryant might be a Hall of Fame player, but the Lakers roster does not exactly scream championship at the moment. Los Angeles has a rich history of success with Bryant as the face of the franchise, but times have changed and entering the offseason the Lakers have Nick Young, Julius Randle coming off a season-ending injury and maybe a healthy Bryant. Yes, the Lakers will have plenty of money to spend, but Bryant is concerned that Los Angeles does not have the pieces in place to recruit big names since they had limited spending the past few seasons.
"Players aren't going to leave millions and millions of dollars on the table twice to come here and play. It's just not realistic. Wanting LeBron (James) to come here and take a massive pay cut again (last summer), after taking a big one to go to Miami, is not realistic. Melo (Carmelo Anthony) leaving $15-20 million on the table to come here is not realistic. So we have certain restrictions, but we'll figure it out," Bryant said, via USA Today.
The Lakers have a lot of holes to fill on the roster and will target big names to come join the team. It could be difficult to sell the franchise on potential rather than installed success. Free agents must be willing to stick with the team past the Bryant era while helping usher in a new set of stars for the Lakers franchise. Los Angeles will not have players like Anthony, James Harden or young talent like Andrew Wiggins to recruit free agents, so Bryant is right in thinking things could be tough.
The Lakers wishlist of free agents looks very similar to other teams entering the offseason with money to spend. LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Monroe, Goran Dragic and Marc Gasol are the favorites with Rajon Rondo and Kevin Love as the long shots. Bryant does not intend to go down without a fight in his final season, but the Lakers need the talent to help.
