The end was in sight when the Los Angeles Lakers struggled early this season. Nothing lasts forever, and by the look on Phil Jackson’s face after his team was eliminated via sweep for the first time in his storied career, he knew this chapter of the Lakers dynasty has come to an end.
There are several questions facing Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak this offseason, maybe none as pressing as how to revamp the aging roster. The following is a list of players that are slated to return next season for the Lake Show.
KOBE BRYANT – $25.2 Million- PAU GASOL – $18.7 Million
- ANDREW BYNUM – $15.2 Million
- LAMAR ODOM – $8.9 Million
- RON ARTEST – $6.8 Million
- LUKE WALTON – $5.7 Million
- STEVE BLAKE – $4 Million
- DEREK FISHER – $3.4 Million
- SHANNON BROWN – $2.4 Million (Player Option)
- MATT BARNES – $1.9 Million (Player Option)
Immediately following the Lakers loss on Sunday, media members across the land started the Dwight Howard to Los Angeles campaign, and while Howard is under contract for at least one more season in Orlando, this might not be out of the realm of possibility.
Something was off with Gasol in the playoffs and, while his stats don’t necessarily indicate a bad regular season, he’s seemed preoccupied all year long. It came out after the game on Sunday that he’s been dealing with a personal situation with his girlfriend all year and it’s affected his play.
I understand that guys are going to have off-the-court issues from time to time, but give me a break. If I was Lakers owner Jerry Buss, Gasol would be on the first plane out of LA.
Howard will make $17.9 million next season and if he wants out of Orlanda (i.e. Carmelo Anthony), I’m sure something can be worked out. The last time Kobe had someone as talented as Howard playing beside him (SHAQ), we all know what happened. Additionally, teaming up with young Andrew Bynum would create the scariest “twin tower” combination in NBA history. The sheer athleticism of the duo would strike fear into every opponent they suited up against.
While on the topic of Bynum, he’s the second best center in the league when healthy and will be the cornerstone of the franchise for years to come. His foul on Mavericks point guard J.J. Barea is getting a great deal of publicity, but I don’t understand why everyone has such a big problem with the foul.
Barea torched the Lakers all series and Bynum got fed up with it and gave him a reason to think twice before coming back in the paint. I think it should have come as early as game two.
The Lakers need a point guard. Fisher is at the end of his career and he was almost invisible against Dallas. Blake is an acceptable back up, but he shouldn’t be playing more than eight minutes a game. LA needs a point guard that can guide the team in the half court but also be able to push the pace when the team needs to run a bit. The Lakers offense was stagnant in the half court and they need to get younger at three of the five starting spots.
The biggest mistake the team has made in recent years was allowing Trevor Ariza to leave to go to New Orleans. His defense against Kobe in the first round was unbelievable and the Lakers wouldn’t have to find a new small forward this offseason had they kept him.
It’s time to move on from Artest. He was useless against the Mavs and his defense is starting to deteriorate as he gets older. Caron Butler and Shane Battier are both unrestricted free agents and would fit in nicely in LA.
The next head coach in LA is an important decision for Kupchak. If the team goes with longtime assistant and former player Brian Shaw, it is taking a huge risk considering he’s never been a head coach. But it could be rewarding if he is the next great young coach in the NBA.
The offseason will be interesting in Hollywood, but one thing is for certain; changes have to made and they have to be big. The window of championship opportunity is rapidly closing on Kobe and company.
@Matt_Parrino
The Spectrum: Sports Blog 