Lakers Rumors: Latest Rumblings on Kobe Bryant and More

Congratulations, Kobe Bryant, for passing Michael Jordan for third place on the all-time scoring list. Now tell us how much longer you are going to play.

There are plenty of rumors circulating around the Los Angeles Lakers, not the least of which regard Bryant’s future. He is under contract until the end of the 2015-16 season and could very well choose to retire when it runs out. 

With that in mind, here is a look at the latest rumors surrounding the Lakers, including those around Bryant.

Kobe Bryant’s Future

Mark Medina of the LA Daily News passed along an update on Bryant’s future: 

“Bryant remained noncommittal last week. But he’s remained adamant as of this past summer that he would not play beyond his current contract, according to a source familiar with Bryant’s thinking.”

Bryant passed Jordan Sunday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves for third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list and doesn’t have anything else to prove from an individual standpoint. He is a lock for the Hall of Fame with five championships to go along with those statistical accolades and is one of the best players to ever lace it up.

General manager Mitch Kupchak discussed Bryant’s future, via Medina: “If you’re looking to buy tickets three years from now, I would buy tickets now. Other than what he’s indicated to me and everybody else, he’s not looking beyond this year or next year.”

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

As mentioned, Bryant’s $48.5 million contract runs out after next season.

He can certainly still play though, and was third in the NBA in scoring at 25.4 points per game entering Sunday. However, he was only shooting 38.7 percent from the field and 27.5 percent from behind the three-point line. It has been a mixed bag with Bryant this season in terms of efficiency, but he is still a transcendent superstar and a top-five scorer in the league.

It is also difficult to envision the Lakers contending for much of anything with Bryant’s albatross of a contract on the books, but they could get a favorable draft pick if they finish in the top five of the lottery. If they add a top-notch college player with a smart free-agent signing or two, they could compete for a playoff spot sooner rather than later. 

The only question then is whether Bryant would still be in the league at that point.

Jordan Hill

Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images

Sean Deveney of Sporting News passed along an update on Jordan Hill’s trade value:

“On a roster widely viewed as devoid of trade assets, sources told Sporting News that Hill is the one guy about whom the Lakers get realistic trade calls—but that LA has no plans to move him.”

The Lakers rewarded Hill with a two-year, $18 million deal in the offseason and have been pleasantly surprised with his production. Deveney even alluded to the possibility of Los Angeles exercising the $9 million option on Hill’s deal for next season.

Entering play Sunday, Hill was posting career-best numbers in points per game (13.1) and rebounds per game (9.0). The Lakers are also building toward the future, and Hill is only 27 years old. With the way he is playing this season, it is not difficult to see Los Angeles keeping him around as part of a future core with Julius Randle and any draft picks they add in the next couple of seasons.

He can hit from mid-range, turn rebounds into transition opportunities and bring energy to a team that is devoid of it in other places. Those traits will be even more valuable if the Lakers are competitive in the next couple of seasons. 

Hill will be in Lakers’ purple and gold for the foreseeable future.

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