Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant says he doesn’t want the team to sacrifice their future financial flexibility to help him win next year.
The Los Angeles Lakers have a tricky personnel situation on their hands. Given the current talent level on their roster, the practical decision for the franchise is to begin a rebuilding process.
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They also have Kobe Bryant on their roster, the franchise icon who may retire after next season and surely wants to have another shot at a championship before he hangs ’em up.
Bryant’s presence opens up the possibility that the team could sacrifice its future flexibility this offseason in order to give him a better shot at hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy for the sixth time in his career next year.
However, it appears the Lakers don’t plan on taking that route, a decision that Bryant says he supports.
From the Los Angeles Daily News:
"Yet, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak recently said he will not squander the team’s financial flexibility and youth for more established veterans just to strengthen Bryant’s chances of securing his sixth NBA championship in what might mark his final NBA season. When relayed about Kupchak’s strategy, Bryant repeatedly nodded his head to convey support and understanding.“It’s a balance of both,” Bryant said. “You always want to set the franchise up for the long term. Mitch and I are on the same page. What he said in the interview is not something that we haven’t talked about before. It’s nothing different. You don’t want to compromise the future of the franchise for one season. You try to balance that.”"
It sure will be interesting to see if Kobe and the Lakers remain in this mindset if Bryant’s buddy Rajon Rondo doesn’t re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks and wants to join the Lakers this offseason. Kobe has made it clear in the past that he desperately wants the team to sign Rondo if he’s available, but signing a non-elite talent like Rondo to a big-money deal could be absolutely crippling for the Lakers’ future.
It’s easy for Bryant to say he doesn’t want the Lakers to sacrifice the future now, but it might not be all that easy in a few months.
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