Five Questions Facing the Lakers This Offseason

It was a long, tough season for the Lakers with many difficulties along the way, but in the end they prevailed.

After winning their fourth title in 10 years, the Lakers will have an even tougher time figuring out their future.

There are many uncertainties the Lakers will need to address going into the offseason, especially if they hope to repeat in 2010. 

Will they be able to keep the team intact?

How will they look to improve going forward, and can they win it all over again in 2010?

Here is a list of the top five questions Laker fans may be pondering this offseason.

At the top of the list: Future Hall of Fame Coach Phil Jackson.

1) What Is Phil Jackson’s Future?

At age 63, and with 10 NBA Championships under his belt, Jackson may be thinking about retirement. You couldn’t blame him if he did decide to call it quits.  Where else can you go from here, anyway?

At a news conference recently, Jackson stated that he had not yet made a decision whether to return or not as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

General manager Mitch Kupchak has had talks with Jackson regarding his future with the team the past few days. Jackson is due to earn $12 million next season, but he said he still needs a few more medical tests to gauge his health concerns.

Due to swelling in his legs from plantar fasciitis, Jackson was forced to miss a late regular season game. Jackson has also had two hip replacement surgeries to boot.

After winning his 10th NBA Championship, including four with the Lakers, The Bus Family does not want to rush him.

Kupchak told reporters, “Because there is a date in the contract, we're not going to officially hold him to that."

2) Will Kobe Bryant Opt Out of His Contract?

Even though Bryant went on the record to say he is not going anywhere, there is a strong chance he could opt out of his contract anyway. 

He could decide to renegotiate for a bigger deal, or more likely take a pay cut to create some cap space. Los Angeles will be over the luxury tax line next season and Bryant is due $23 million next year and $24 million the year after.  

Should he decide to opt out, he could free up some of that money.  

If the Lakers are to make it back to the NBA Finals, they will need to keep the core of the team together to do it. Kobe might be thinking that taking a little less money for ring No. 5 just might be worth it to him.

3) Will Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza Be Wearing Lakers Uniforms Next Season?

Odom and Ariza are both free agents this summer, and will most likely draw a lot of interest this offseason. Odom will probably have to take a pay cut from the $12 million he made this past season, whether he stays in LA or not. 

He told reporters Thursday that there is no other place he would rather be than in LA with the NBA champion Lakers.

"Hopefully, everything will work out and I'll get to stay home," replied Odom.

However, Odom told reporters that he had not spoken to his agent, Jeff Schwartz, about a new deal yet.

He may be willing to stay for less money if it means a chance to repeat another Championship, but if Odom wants to be a starter and get more money, he may seek greener pastures. 

Sacramento and Detroit might be willing to give Odom what he wants.

Ariza gave a tremendous performance in the postseason and at age 23 only looks to get better.

He will expect a big payday for his efforts, however.  I expect the Lakers brass to re-sign Ariza but they will probably have to over-pay to keep him.

4) What Potential Free Agents Might the Lakers Look At?

Carlos Boozer, Allen Iverson, Ron Artest, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Andre Miller, and Rasheed Wallace all can become unrestricted free agents this summer.

If Carlos Boozer opts out of his contract, he could be a nice pick up.

Recently, however, Boozer has outwardly expressed interest in playing for the Jazz in 2009-2010. He is owed $12.7 million next season.

With the exception of a few second-tier players added here and there, I would not expect a lot of activity in free agency. 

The main strategy for Kupchak and Jackson this offseason will be to keep the players they already have.

5) Whom Might the Lakers Pick 29th Overall in the 2009 NBA Draft?

A profound prognosticator I am not, however, here are a few players that may be available in the early rounds and could rouse the Lakers interest.

Marcus Thornton—LSU 

·        NBA Position: Shooting Guard

·        Class: Senior

·        Ht: 6’4”

·        Wt: 204

·        High School: Tara HS

·        Hometown: Baton Rouge, La.

Derrick Brown—Xavier        

·        NBA Position: Power Forward

·        Class: Junior

·        Ht: 6’8”

·        Wt: 230

·        High School: Chaminade-Julienne

     ·        Hometown: Dayton, OH

Slava Kravtsov—BC Kyiv, International

·        NBA Position: Center

·        AGE: 21

·        Ht: 7'0"

·        Wt: 260 lbs.

     ·        Hometown: Odessa, Ukraine

Jonas Jerebko—Angelico Biella, International

·        NBA Position: SF/PF

·        AGE: 22

·        Ht: 6’9”

·        Wt: 210 lbs.

·        Hometown: Boras, Sweden

Nick Calathes—Florida

·        NBA Position: PG/SG

·        Class: Sophomore

·        Ht: 6’ 5”

·        Wt: 185 lbs

·        High School: Lake Howell HS  

·        Hometown: Winter Park, FL