The Los Angeles Lakers might be struggling these past two seasons, but things could go from worst to first starting next season, when they begin surrounding superstar Kobe Bryant with the right personnel for him to win his sixth NBA championship ring.
With 16 NBA championship banners hanging in the rafters of Staples Center, the Lakers are simply synonymous to winning. That's why it's very hard for Lakers fans to swallow in their team's recent situation, having lost 14 of their first 19 games in the season.
In spite coming off potentially career-ending injuries, the 36-year old Bryant has remained one of the league's top-notch scorers as he's averaging 25.8 points, 4.9 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game this season.
On the other hand, the Lakers star is having the worst shooting season of his career, going 39 percent from the field and 78 percent from the free-throw line - which are very much below his career shooting percentages of 45 percent FG% and 33 3pt%.
Analysts think Bryant's shot-happy mentality this season has something to do with the lack of talent his lineup, after missing on elite free-agents (Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James & Chris Bosh) this past summer.
Help on Their Way for Purple and Gold!
No matter how discouraging the situation is for the Lakers this season, there's going to be a great chance the franchise will return to contention because of its winning tradition and the lure of playing in a big market ball club.
The waiting game could end as soon as next summer with a very loaded class of free-agents hit the market. From playmakers (Rajon Rondo, Goran Dragic, Brandon Marshall), forwards (LaMarcus Aldrdige, Tristan Thompson, Kawhi Leonard) to Centers (Marc Gasol & Tyson Chandler), the upcoming free-agency offers any team the opportunity to become an instant title contender because of the overwhelming present in this class.
The level of optimism among die-hard Lakers fans have significantly increased after Bryant was spotted having breakfast with Rondo, who will become an unrestricted free-agent next summer. Bryant and Rondo have also shown mutual respected towards each other despite the heated rivalry between the Celtics and the Lakers. Now, rumors are flying that these two All-Star guards could team up next season to form one of the most formidable backcourts in Lakers' history.
Moreover, with Bryant giving a hint of playing beyond his contract, the Lakers might find a way to keep the Black Mamba and sign another superstar in the summer of 2016.
Oklahoma City small forward Kevin Durant has always looked up to Bryant as his big brother, and respect between these star is very evident. Although reports indicated it will be a two-team (Thunder & Washington Wizards) race for the service of Durant, analyst believed the Lakers could still pull it off and acquire Durant with a right offer.
If the Lakers came through with this colossal free-agency coup in 2016, then the franchise will suddenly be back to title hunt with their new three-headed monster of Rondo, Bryant and Durant.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
