After dealing with two major injuries, Kobe Bryant is no longer willing to wait for the team to rebuild and wants changes this summer rather than the next.
Kobe spoke to the media on Wednesday after officially being ruled out for the season. The veteran shooting guard did not hold back when talking about the franchise and the direction that needs to be taken this summer according to Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
Kobe Bryant's priority/preference is to go all in THIS summer. Not willing to wait another year.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) March 12, 2014
All indications were pointing to the Lakers potentially standing pat this summer with only a few free agent acquisitions to fill out the roster. Currently, there are no potential game-changers that will become available in free agency with Pau Gasol, Luol Deng and Kyle Lowry leading the way.
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There remains a possibility that one or more big-name players could become available, but the chances seem to get worse and worse as the off-season draws near. Carmelo Anthony is the only perennial All-Star that may elect to become a free agent this summer while LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh appear content with staying with the Miami Heat.
Phil Jackson more than likely heading to the New York Knicks was thought to be a move that would keep Anthony in the Big Apple, but reports have surfaced that it won’t change his stance one way or the other this summer.
Needless to say, with Kobe demanding the team make some moves, it could be an interesting off-season for the Lakers. Kevin Love appears to be in the team’s crosshairs for the summer of 2015, but Kobe may have forced the team’s hand and as a result, the Lakers could attempt to pull off a trade in the off-season.
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Kobe Bryant Isn’t Happy About Phil Jackson Possibly Going To The Knicks