Lakers News: Latest on Kobe Bryant's Status and More

The Los Angeles Lakers' preseason schedule has quickly flown by, and the team will finish up its exhibition slate Thursday night at 10 ET against the Golden State Warriors.  

Los Angeles has generally performed well in the preseason, accumulating a 3-4 record that includes a trio of wins in its four most recent games. Kobe Bryant, although he suffered a minor leg injury against the Sacramento Kings on October 13, has looked like he might be ready to accept a smaller role this season. Meanwhile, Lou Williams, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle appear primed to supply healthy production in 2015-16.

The regular season starts in Tinseltown next Wednesday, and the team will have to make its final roster cuts before then. But what's making news in the Lakers camp at this point?

Let's look at Kobe's injury status and some optimistic aspirations Los Angeles has for the upcoming regular season.

How's Kobe Doing?

Bryant suffered a left leg contusion against the Sacramento Kings and hasn't gotten back on the court since. But the Los Angeles Daily News' Mark Medina reported head coach Byron Scott thinks the 37-year-old swingman will be available for the season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 28:

Kobe's health will obviously be important in 2015-16. He told Yahoo Sports' Marc J. Spears in August that this could be his last season, so Lakers fans will definitely want to get their fix of the legend this winter in the event he does retire next summer.

Also, while Bryant is able to mentor from the sideline, it's just not the same as being on the court with his teammates. D'Angelo Russell, Clarkson and Randle are three young potential stars who could benefit from the tutelage Kobe can offer them.

In addition to his health, his ability to accept more of an off-the-ball role will be key.

To be frank, last season was a disaster for Kobe. With his explosiveness and difficult shot-making abilities compromised by his advancing age and nagging injuries, he struggled to take on a new playing style. Instead of toning down the aggressiveness, he took 20.4 shots per game on 37.3 percent shooting, and the Lakers were 6.8 points per 100 possessions better with him off the court. Then, a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder ended his season in January.

Kobe's performance this preseason as more of a spot-up weapon in limited playing time has been encouraging. He scored 21 points in just 18 minutes against Maccabi Haifa on October 11.

Hopefully, Lakers fans will get to see a healthy Bryant on the court in 2015-16 and performing in a way that benefits the team and its future.

Lakers High on Their Playoff Chances

After the team spent a couple of years in the lottery, Metta World Peace said the Lakers roster is apparently ready for a trip back to the postseason, per Lakers Nation's Serena Winters:

This comes two days after USA Today's Sam Amick released a profile on Jim Buss, Lakers part-owner and executive vice president of basketball operations, that revealed Buss' excitement about the team's rebuild. The part-owner revealed he believes the team is ahead of schedule in his plan for it to contend by 2017, and he thinks the franchise has definitely "turned the corner."

So, can the Lakers make the playoffs in the 2015-16 season? The odds aren't in their favor, but there is hope.

On paper, Los Angeles is a solid team. Bryant, Clarkson, Russell, Nick Young, Williams, Randle, Brandon Bass and Roy Hibbert make up a decent core with the potential for a lot of offensive outbursts.

The challenge for Scott this season will be making that talent work together and play defense at a high level. Bryant, Clarkson, Russell, Young and Williams have all been at their best dominating the ball, so each player will have to make sacrifices.

On defense, Hibbert can only do so much near the rim. The Lakers' five best perimeter players are all offensive-minded, which will have to change in a conference with the likes of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Damian Lillard and Kawhi Leonard lighting up scoreboards.

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

Speaking of World Peace, the person who originally announced the Lakers' aspirations, Los Angeles would be wise to keep the 35-year-old forward on its 15-man roster. He wouldn't play many minutes, but having a former Defensive Player of the Year in tow to ratchet up the defensive intensity in practice can only help the team on that end of the floor.

If the on-court chemistry goes well and everyone plays hard on defense, maybe the playoffs are a possibility.

Note: All stats are from Basketball-Reference unless otherwise indicated.