The Los Angeles Lakers worst season in living memory is finally over and not a minute too soon. The team would probably have been better off not to have made the playoffs despite Kobe’s heroic efforts to get them there. The playoffs were ugly, the first time that the Lakers have been shut out 4-0 since they have been called the Lakers.
So now what moves do the Lakers take toward a brighter future? Stay with Dwight Howard? After his final performance there at the Staples Center against the Spurs, there are many Lakers fans who would just as soon wish him well but have him seek his fortunes elsewhere.
More complex is what to do about Kobe Bryant. Kobe has been the most popular Laker for many years now. He joined the club right out of high school when he was just 18 years old and has never played one game of professional basketball for any other team but the Los Angeles Lakers. And now he is hurt and it is a bad one. A torn Achilles tendon is one of the most difficult injuries to overcome even just to keep on walking normally.
Kobe is planning to return to the basketball arena at full strength at some point in the foreseeable future and, looking back on his determination throughout his NBA career, he will likely put his whole mind and body into the effort of making a comeback. If Bryant can’t do it for some reason, it won’t be because he didn’t try hard enough.
Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak has indicated that coach D’Antoni will be returning next year to continue coaching the Lakers. Speculation about just what personnel he will be working with next year is an open question.
The Lakers salary cap also comes into question here. Dwight Howard will be a free agent for next season. The Lakers payroll already stands at $79 million before resigning Howard. The Lakers are going to be looking at a hefty luxury tax hit next year.
Assuming that all goes well with the injury and Kobe is able to come back and play next season, it will mark his 18th year in the NBA now bringing home an annual salary of over $30,000,000. What if he can’t come back? What will the Lakers do? Bryant’s future with the Lakers is now in doubt for the first time in 18 years.
