By Warren Blatt Jun 20, 2007, 16:35 GMT
- A new supporting cast for superstar Kobe Bryant, who would reportedly like to be traded, could be on its way, and draft night may be the start of a busy offseason for the Los Angeles Lakers, who finished 42-40 in the 2006-07 regular season. They were eliminated in five games, 4-1, by the Phoenix Suns in the opening round of the playoffs.
Since sending Shaquille O'Neal packing on July 14, 2004, the Lakers are below .500 (121-125) in three seasons without the All-Star center. They have qualified for the playoffs in two of the three seasons, but have been eliminated twice in the first round.
All of the sudden, this offseason has become a very important one for the franchise. Bryant, who led the NBA in scoring (31.6 ppg) and dished out a team-best 5.4 assists this past season, wants to win now, and he knows his current supporting cast is not good enough to compete with Dallas, San Antonio and Phoenix. The Lakers aren't even in the same class as Denver, Houston or Utah.
The Lakers have the 19th overall pick in this year's draft. They should be able to get a decent player, but it won't be someone who can step in and have an impact on the standings. Trades and free agency will be the places that Los Angeles will look to improve its roster.
Forward Lamar Odom, who was acquired from the Miami Heat in the Shaq deal, Kwame Brown, Smush Parker, Luke Walton and Andrew Bynum are all decent players with value. But the fact remains, none of them seem to have what it takes to help Kobe lead the Lakers to the promised land.
The seven-foot Bynum is just 19-years-old and has shown that he should eventually develop into a productive NBA center. He played all 82 regular- season games in 2006-07, and averaged 7.8 points and 5.9 rebounds. Odom registered 15.9 points, a team-high 9.8 boards and 4.8 assists, while Parker and Walton had solid seasons.
Get Kobe help is the theme of the offseason for the Lakers. Don't be surprised if the Lakers select at No. 19 for another team, as a big trade may be on the horizon and the pick is nice asset to have for potential deals.
The Lakers need Bryant and don't want to trade him. They do know their superstar is not thrilled with the current state of the team, and the only way to make him happy is to get him some teammates who can help him compete for a championship. The team needs to find a way to make Kobe happy.
On the flip side, may be it is time to start over. Trading Bryant would obviously be huge. Kobe will be just one of the big names mentioned in blockbuster trade rumors on draft night.
Key Player(s): Kwame Brown (Forward). Kobe Bryant (Guard), Andrew Bynum (Center), Brian Cook (forward), Maurice Evans (Forward), Jordan Farmar (Guard), Lamar Odom (Forward), Smush Parker (Guard), Vladimir Radmanovic (Forward), Ronny Turiaf (Forward), Luke Walton (Forward).
Team Needs: Help for Kobe.
Draft picks: 1st round (19th overall), 2nd round (40th overall), 2nd round (48th overall).
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