Staying competitive is tough to do year after year because eventually the best crumble, fall, but rebuild. This is what is happening to the Los Angeles Lakers right now. The Lakers had their run, making three straight trips to the finals. Winning two out of those three appearances from 2008 to 2010. Since, those great years of winning, the team and organization has taken steps backward instead of forward. They have rode the Kobe and Pau lead Lakers for as long as they could, but now the inevitable rebuild seems to already be here with those two still on the team.
Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol have been the two faces for the Lakers franchise for the last six years, but it seems that injuries and father time have made it's way into the Lakers organization. The Lakers gave it one last shot last year surrounding Bryant and Gasol with a super team, without a thought of salary cap penalties. The Lakers had Steve Nash and Dwight Howard to go along with Bryant and Gasol. It was unbelievable, how the Lakers once again surprised the NBA by acquiring two of the most talented players in the league. Well to make a long story short, we all know that last season was a disaster and Howard couldn't wait to hit the quick exit, with a one way trip to Houston.
Now the Lakers are left with a 39 year old Steve Nash, who seems to old to chase down a quick young guard like Chris Paul. Pau Gasol is on the upside down of his career, seeing his numbers decline for the past two years. Kobe is trying to recover from an Achilles injury that may have him thinking about retiring sooner rather than later. So, what now for the Lakers? This past summer they gave every member of the team a one year contract in order to preserve salary cap space for the 2014 off-season, but it seems like the best bet is to rebuild now. I know the Lakers haven't had to rebuild in some time, but the option of reloading seems far fetched because no one including Lebron or Carmelo have the Lakers circled as a possible destination next summer.
Here's what the Lakers should do, try to get into the top 10 in this years draft, sign a few low bargain but talented free agents, and keep some cap flexibility for the summer of 2015. The 2014 draft class is loaded with tons of talent. The so called experts have called this upcoming draft the best since 2003, when Lebron, Melo, Wade, and Bosh headlined. There is no doubt the Lakers can make a case for trying to enter this draft because that is what the Lakers truly need; a young, athletic, and marketable player. Not a hired gun like Lebron or Melo who will only be around for three to four years. Then it's back to rebuilding again...
Those are some realistic options for the Lakers at this point. The front office seems keen on luring top names to LA is summer, but with the current team they have now, that ain't happening! The Lakers have done a decent job of possibly solidifying a bench. Xavier Henry, Jordan Farmar, Wesley Johnson, and Jordan Hill. The problem is they are all on one year contracts and if they continue to show that they are capable of contributing to a team, the Lakers could lose two of them or possibly all of them if they don't play their cards right.The organization also has face's a tough decision on whether to bring back Kobe Bryant.
There is no doubt that Kobe has played his heart out for his entire career as a Laker contributing five championships, and will no doubt have a statue outside of Staples Center, but Kobe may hamstring the franchise if he tries to land one more big contract with them. One thing is clear about the state of the Lakers right now, they are not good at all, the talent is not there this year. They may compete and give a good show, but the losses are going to pile up faster than ever. Kobe may think he can carry the team, but he can't, even if he does come back from his injury stronger than ever, he won't be enough to carry this current team. Kobe is going to have to take a pay cut to stick around, whether he likes it or not or the team will have to let him walk.
Kevin Garnet and Tim Duncan have taken pay cuts and are still on competitive teams. If the Lakers agree to grant Kobe his wish of receiving $30 million dollars a year, forget about a rebuild that involves talented young players who will be fun to watch, Laker fans will be stuck watching a mediocre Laker team lead by an old Kobe Bryant. It's time for Kobe to step up and accept that he is older, and needs help. If not, the Lakers may need to let Kobe go. It's sad, but the Lakers can't let Kobe back them in a corner demanding a ridiculous contract that will hurt the teams rebuild and chances of future success.
It will be interesting to see where the Lakers go from here. The franchise is at a cross roads that they haven't seen since Magic Johnson retired. Decisions will not only be important, but crucial. The Lakers need to rebuild, and rebuild fast. Kobe Bryant may be one to decide the Lakers future, because with or without him, the Lakers will have to get younger, and Kobe will have to accept the challenge of a rebuild or facing the Lakers as a member of another team. Rebuild fast because the option of reloading is no longer an option... Peace!
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