Lakers Rumors & News Recap: Planning Ahead

Mitch Kupchak and the Lakers front office really know their stuff. Which is why it’s not surprising that rumors have already started pertaining to player movement in 2014. Specifically, targeting the free agent class that will be available that year, particularly one of the best players in the league, LeBron James.

All current Laker contracts expire in 2014, including Bryant’s. Jim Buss explained that it gave the organization the chance to go after a top free agent. Smart thinking. Although LeBron looks like the most obvious choice, he has dismissed all rumors that he will be leaving Miami. We will just have to wait and see what happens in 2014. But I like the “thinking ahead” mentality of the Lakers organization. This will make sure the team doesn’t get stale.

Kobe Bryant is a man of charity and has been an inspiration for those less privileged through his Family Foundation. About a month ago, Kobe spent the spent the night on skid row talking with the homeless about ways to help them. This coming November, on the 17th, will be Bryant’s HomeWalk where he aims to raise money to help stop homelessness. So Lakers fans, this is your time to help! Those who are interested can sign up and join Kobe’s team here: http://homewalkla.kintera.org/teamkobe

Game day is tonight! Make sure before the buzzer beats that you look at LN writer Max Piner’s preseason report. Do you think the Lakers are going to win tonight?

Are you a Lakers super fan? Then show it! Tis’ the season to deck yourself head to toe in authentic Lakers Nation apparel. You know you want to.

Lakers Nation News

Story Time With Jalen Rose: Kobe Torched Raptors For 81

Jim Buss Looking Forward to Free Agent Class of 2014

Kobe Bryant Wants You To Walk With Him…To Fight Homelessness

NBA News: LeBron James Dismisses Lakers Rumors

Lakers Legend Slater Martin Passes Away at 86

NBA News: Mavs’ Dirk Nowitzki Out 6 Weeks After Knee Surgery

Lakers News: Dwight Howard Eyeing Sunday Debut

Lakers News

Dwight Howard May Play As Soon As Sunday [Forum Blue and Gold]

LeBron James Waives Off Lakers Talk [Hoopsworld]

Dwight Howard: Improving Fundamentals Improves His Health [Lakers Report]

Lakers F Jordan Hill Returns to Practice [Yahoo Sports]

Mike Brown Says Howard Playing Sunday no Certainty [ProBasketballTalk]

The Lowdown: Slater Martin [Pro Hoops History]

Impossible Dream: Ronnie Aguilar’s Short Stint with the Lakers [LA Times]

The Lakers Offense Could Be Historic [Silver Screen and Roll]

Los Angeles Lakers May Be Eying LeBron James in 2014 [NBA]

Howard Used ‘Gangnam Style’ for Rehab [Hoopsworld]

Lakers Continue to be An Economic Juggernaut [LA Times]

Lakers vs. Kings: Game Preview, TV Info and More [Silver Screen and Roll]

The 1962 NBA Finals: the Celtics – Lakers Rivalry Begins [Pro Hoops History]

Dwight Howard to Play Sunday [OC Register]

Jim Buss: Lakers to Make “Big Splash” in 2014 FA [Silver Screen and Roll]

Dwight Howard Says He’ll Be Nervous in Lakers Debut [Lakers Report]

NBA News

The Rise of Sam Jones and Jerry West [Pro Hoops History]

Video: Andre Drummond Turns a Terrible Pass Into a Great Alley-Oop [The Basketball Jones]

With Bynum, Sixers Preparing Two Styles of Play [SB Nation]

Dirk Nowitzki Injury Puts Dallas Mavericks’ Playoff Hopes in Jeopardy [SB Nation]

Mavs Looking for More Defense from O.J. Mayo [ProBasketballTalk]

Dirk Nowitzki to Have Knee Surgery, Out 6 Weeks [SB Nation]

Arron Afflalo has an entire Kendrick Lamar verse dedicated to his success [The Basketball Jones]

Rush or Barnes? Barnes or Rush? Should We Even Care? [Golden State of Mind]

Biggest Question Left in Training Camp: James Harden’s Extension [ProBasketballTalk]

Thinking about NBA referee Greg Willard [Inside the Lakers]

Lamar Odom is Out of Shape Again [CBS Sports]

Celtics and Kings First to Draw Violations for New NBA Pre-Game Ritual Time Limit [SI Tracking Blog]

Love Broke Hand Doing ‘Knuckle Push-Ups’ [Hoopsworld]

San Antonio Spurs Pop Culture Season Preview [Pounding the Rock]

Jamal Crawford Had Never Practiced Shooting Before This Year [The Basketball Jones]

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