The LA Lakers could have Kobe Bryant around for longer than one more season if the franchise star doesn't want to retire, as owner Jim Buss has said that Los Angeles would continue to embrace Bryant if he wants to keep playing and this comes as players like Robert Upshaw, Michael Frazier, Jonathan Holmes, Tarik Black and Jabari Brown may compete for roster spots in training camp.
The Lakers are coming into the season after getting a shot in the arm with D'Angelo Russell from the NBA draft and the team improved the roster from last year. Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass and Lou Williams are coming in and that should give Bryant more veteran support as he moves towards the end of his career. According to an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Buss said that the Lakers are "open" to Bryant staying with the team beyond this season.
Buss spoke with Times reporter Eric Pincus and talked about a wide range of subjects, including the recent draft picks, player signings and the future of Bryant. Buss spoke about Bryant coming back for another year after this season and that it would likely have to be in the "role" the Lakers want since he is getting up there in age. Although Bryant is an alpha dog and may not respond well to be taken out of the A-spot for the Lakers, the team has done right by him in the latter stages of his career and he could be open to finishing things out with a lesser role.
The Lakers have been looking to make some tweaks to the roster, as the team would like another point guard or a big man to give some support behind Roy Hibbert. There are trade options out there, but the team likely would rather find some quality options in camp over making trades. The team has room on the roster heading into camp, as they have not filled out all the guaranteed contracts. Michael Frazier and Jonathan Holmes have signed partial deals, while Brown and Black are on non-guaranteed contracts.
Robert Upshaw is considered to be another potential option for the Lakers, as he played for the summer league in Las Vegas. According to ESPN.com, Upshaw and the Lakers were getting close to a contract this summer, but the sides did not work it out. Scout.com spoke with Upshaw in an interview and the center was confident that he would end up with the Lakers. Upshaw said that there is not an "agreement yet" and that if he works hard he knows he'll "be a Laker."
Check here for more on the future for Kobe Bryant and more on the potential roster options for the Lakers.
