re: What team is Lebron playing for in 2 years?

quote:

---

LA fans are having a hard time coming to grips with how hard it will be for them to rebuild over the next three years.


The Lakers are in perfect shape to rebuild. Yeah, Kobe's cap hit is huge, but they have more than enough to offer a max deal. They have two options: sign a superstar through free agency (I am looking at you, Kevin Love) or continue to maximize cap space until they land a new superstar.

The Lakers are very likely to get a very good pick in the draft, and this is a pretty deep with five really nice picks who could become very good players. The Lakers will basically be in shape to take BPA with their pick and they will likely get one of Parker, Wiggins, Embiid, the Australian, or Randle.

Kobe's contract will not kill them as they do not have the type of team to compete for the next two years. The Lakers will be bad for two more years, but they will come out of this smelling like a rose because stars will always want to be a Laker

---

This years pick is their only chance to build in the draft though. Their 2014 second round draft pick belongs to the Phoenix Suns, their 2015 first round draft pick belongs to the Suns, their 2017 first round pick and their 2015 second round draft picks belongs to the Orlando Magic. Make the assumption they get a top four pick this year - they have a young and talented player who will probably be three years away from being a serious NBA player. If they miss on that selection they are in real trouble. Every indication regarding Nash seems to be that he will be returning to play because he wants his money so the Nash and Kobe salaries will weigh down the Lakers in 2014-2015 just like 2013-2014.

Lebron is not going to LA to carry Kobe when his friends and a better run franchise are still there for him in Miami. I don't even see why Carmelo (who is in an obviously worse situation) would be interested in going to LA when he and a very old Kobe coming off two major injuries would have to carry the team (and they both want the ball). And the issue of what to do with Kobe is a big problem. KB is not going to be willing to substantially downgrade his salary to match his declining excellence when his present two year mega-deal expires.

What could transform the Lakers? Fleecing a team for a superstar or signing a big free agent capable of carrying the team (not Kevin Love IMO). I don't think that's going to happen - or at least it doesn't seem likely until they decide what to do post Kobe and have more draft picks to build with.