Lakers Rumors & News Recap: Gasol is Pumped and Kobe is Retiring…Soon

It is hard to imagine a Lakers team without Kobe Bryant, but one day he is going to have to retire. Who would have thought that this Lakers guard thinks his career will only last two more years? With two years left on his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe is seriously considering calling it a career at 35 years-old. The recent acquisition of two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash may be enough to convince Kobe to prolong his career and possibly sign another contract, but as of right now, Kobe has no intention of signing another deal.

This is surprising seeing as he still is one of the best players in the league. There are also other players in the NBA who are much older than him and still playing. But Kobe has no intention of make the same mistake that some other stars made in terms of prolonging their careers. Kobe will have played 19 years in the league once his contract with the Lakers expires.

Pau Gasol put up his lowest average in points per game (17.4) and field goal shooting (50.1 percent) in his five years as a Laker last season. In fact, most Lakers fans were so frustrated at his playing ability, they were begging for a trade. But with the acquisition of Steve Nash, fans seem to be getting excited to see the two play together, rather than upset Gasol hasn’t been traded. Improvements are coming; it seems there are plans already being thought of and written down for how Gasol will play off Steve Nash.

The idea of bringing the pick-and-roll game between Nash and Gasol is something that the Lakers haven’t dished for their offense in years. Gasol should enter training camp in better condition due to his summer play representing Spain in the 2012 London Olympics. This will only add to improving Gasol’s overall game, stamina, and finesse. Nash’s energy is positively infecting the entire Lakers organization, and I like it!

Lakers Nation News

Lakers Legend James Worthy Picks Bynum Over Howard

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak Says Extension Talks with Andrew Bynum to Intensify

Kobe Bryant Says He’ll Retire After Two More Seasons

Dream Team Talk & Mike Brown Expectations | Lakers Locker Room Talk

The Steve Nash Effect on Pau Gasol

Lakers Exploring Sign-and-Trade for Courtney Lee?

Lakers News

The Lakers Still Have Holes to Fill [Forum Blue and Gold]

Kobe Talks Shaq, Sexual Assault Charges, Retirement [OC Register]

Kobe on Team USA [Yahoo Sports]

Lakers Sign Antawn Jamison [Silver Screen and Roll]

Is Dwight Howard Still a Priority? [Land O’ Lakers]

Lakers Acquire Steve Nash, Sign Devin Ebanks And Antwan Jamison [SB Nation]

Interview With Lakers Assistant Coach Chuck Person [Forum Blue and Gold]

Kobe Said He and Shaq Needed to Split [Yahoo Sports]

Limit on NBA Players’ Olympic Appearances Needed [OC Register]

Jim Buss Should Not Scare You Anymore [Land O’ Lakers]

Lakers Rumors: Grant Hill Liking L.A., Brandon Rush Also Being Pursued [SB Nation]

Lakers-Kings Summer League Open Thread [Silver Screen and Roll]

NBA News

For Better Or Worse, Bradley Beal Is A Coach’s Dream [SB Nation]

Las Vegas Summer League Bullets [ESPN]

Blake Griffin to Have Knee Surgery Today [OC Register]

Amnesty Clause: Where NBA Teams Replace Insane Contracts With Insane Contracts [SB Nation]

Knicks, Blazers Complete Deal for Felton [Yahoo Sports]

Salary Cap Situations: WEST [ESPN Insider]

Salary Cap Situations: EAST [ESPN Insider]

The Knicks Are Not Sacred, Jeremy Lin Was Never A Savior, And It’s All Okay [SB Nation]

The Top 10 1-On-1 Players In The NBA [Dime Magazine]

Jeremy Lin Signs Offer Sheet with Rockets [Eye on Basketball]

Kings Sign PG Aaron Brooks, Waive Whiteside [Yahoo Sports]

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