The Los Angeles Lakers have yet to begin their 2012-13 season, but the front-office is already looking forward to the summer of 2014.
As Lakers Nation reported earlier, sources claim that the Lakers may make a move for LeBron James if he ends up becoming a free-agent in 2014. The Lakers will have enough cap space in that summer and they could likely start their post-Kobe Bryant era with another star.
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Bryant hinted at retirement in two seasons, meaning his massive contract will be off the books just in time for the 2014 free agent frenzy. The OC Register spoke to Lakers Vice President Jim Buss and he talked about the team’s plans for 2014. Buss admits that he ended most of the players’ contract in the same year so that the Lakers could go after a top free-agent.
We purposely ended all contracts that year,” Buss said. “I can’t talk about Kobe (Bryant), but this is what he signed till. So basically we put everything to that, and we want to make a big splash in the free-agent market if we get to that spot. So we designed the contracts and the players and our future all around that.”
Although Buss did not mention any names, there is a chance that the Lakers make a move for James. Even though the Lakers/LeBron contract is only a rumor, the possibility is there. Los Angeles intentionally set themselves up for the summer for 2014, so why wouldn’t they go after one of the biggest names in the NBA?
So as this current Lakers roster fights for the 2013 NBA title, the front-office will have its sight set on a few seasons down the road. Kobe Bryant is nearing the end of his career, and the Lakers understand that better than most people. Los Angeles is always looking to build a dynasty and the summer of 2014 may be a dawn of a new era for the franchise.
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In case you missed it: Kobe talks A-Rod, growing up in a family of “a-holes.”
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