When Will the L.A. Lakers and Other Aging NBA Dynasties Crumble?

Thanks to the efforts of Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan, the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs have been the most steady NBA franchises over the last ten seasons, quasi dynasties that, at some point, will come to an end. 

With six titles between them, they've been staples of consistency and accomplishment in the new millenium.

In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics have been a dominant force over the last five seasons, capturing an NBA championship in 2008. 

How long do these storied and recently successful franchises have until their dynasties crumble?

Los Angeles Lakers 

The Lakers are unquestionably led by the iconic Kobe Bryant—a guy destined for the Hall of Fame, who could end his career as the most decorated player of all time. He's been canning jumpers since 1996, but he's only 33 years old.

Although his field goal percentage of 43 percent was his lowest since the 1997 season, he still averaged a smooth 27.9 points per game, dished out 4.6 assists and added 5.4 rebounds.

Kobe has, at most, five years of superstardom left.

Center Andrew Bynum is no longer a soft-spoken youngster but an assertive 24-year-old big man with dominant tendencies. 

He plays with a tough competitive edge and moves well at 7'0'' and 285 pounds. He stayed healthy this season and set career highs in points (18.7) and rebounds (11.8).

A team can be centered around him in the post, but his injury past is worrisome. 

Paul Gasol has been in the league since 2001 and is only 31 years old. That fact that he contributed so early in his career makes him seem much older and worn down than he really is. 

He's more of power forward with his soft touch around the rim and ability to knock down the mid-range jumper. 

Bryant is obviously the cornerstone of the franchise, and when his productivity dips considerably so too will the Lakers NBA-title chances.

That would mean the end of the dynasty.

Bynum is inked through 2013, and Gasol's contract expires in 2014, but—unless they uncover another pure scorer with amazing defensive abilities—the Lakers dynasty ends in four years.

Boston Celtics 

Rajon Rondo has morphed from the guy left out of the Big Three to the Boston Celtics' franchise player. His crafty style of play and unorthodox antics on the court have made him one of the most captivating and efficient point guards in the NBA. 

A pesky defender, he's a triple-double machine who makes everyone around him better.

There's not many more ways to describe the complete basketball player. 

Rondo's only 26 years old and has averaged a double-double the last two seasons. He's locked up through 2015, and frankly, any talk of trading him is crazy. 

The rest of the team's long-term viability is in question, however. 

Paul Pierce has been a Celtics staple for 13 years. While he doesn't possess the elite quickness or athletic ability of some the game's premier players, he's oozing with veteran savvy and still has uncanny big-game shooting ability. 

He's 34 years old and is signed through the 2014 season. 

Kevin Garnett, 35, and Ray Allen, 36, round out the team's superstars. 

The contracts of both Garnett and Allen expire at the end of this season. They are still productive but clearly in the twilight of their careers. It'll be interesting to see what the team does with Allen and Garnett this summer. 

Factoring in Rondo (a player entering the prime of his career) and the rest of their older stars, the Celtics only have two more years left. They've surprised us before, and very well could win another NBA title in June.

But, come next fall, they could be an entirely different team. 

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs are the team most people love to hate, a throwback bunch of fundamentally sound stars and relatively unknown role players. 

Tim Duncan has easily been the most accomplished big man of the last 15 years, and although he played the least amount of minutes per game of his career this season, he hardly looked like a guy too slow to play at a high level. 

He averaged a respectable 15.4 points per game, hauled in nine rebounds per game and added 1.5 blocks. 

At 36, the former No. 1-overall pick doesn't have many years left, but many thought he was finished entering this season. He's a free agent at the end of this year, but I'd be surprised if he wasn't brought back by the Spurs for a few more seasons. 

Manu Ginobili, 34, is the team's flashy scorer and nagging defender who's battled injuries throughout his career. He's signed through next season. 

Tony Parker has always been a good point guard, but he elevated his game to an MVP-caliber this season. He's 30 years old and, like Rondo, is signed through the 2015 campaign. 

Factoring in the age, productivity and contracts of their three biggest stars, the Spurs have two—maybe three—years left of their "dynasty." 

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