With the Dodgers under new ownership, the Kings' Stanley Cup win and the Clippers looking like an actual basketball team, times are good in L.A.
No team, however, is as popular in Los Angeles as the Lakers these days. Despite having no cap room whatsoever, Mitch Kupchak and crew still managed to bring in Antawn Jamison, Steve Nash and Dwight Howard this offseason.
With an already loaded roster, could LeBron James take his talent to the City of Angels soon as well?
While it seems preposterous, James or even Chris Bosh or Dwyane Wade could end up donning the purple and gold as early as 2014.
A couple factors would come into play for this to happen.
First, that fickle salary cap rule.
While the Lakers have the highest payroll in basketball at roughly $99 million for 2012-2013, in two years this number drops down to a mere $9 million, the amount owed to Steve Nash.
Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Metta World Peace, Steve Blake, Jordan Hill and others will all see their contracts run out at the conclusion of the 2014 season, leaving L.A. will roughly $50 million to spend.
Now assuming Dwight Howard signs a contract extension with L.A., their committed salary amount will be roughly $29 million for Howard and Nash, still leaving room for one or even two stars to sign.
Factor No. 2 is Mr. Bryant and his future with the Lakers and in the NBA.
In an interview with Yahoo Sports' Graham Bensinger, Bryant revealed he might retire when his current contract with the Lakers runs out in 2014.
In the interview, Bryant said:
I've been playing for 17 years now, so next year will be my 17th and then, when I'm 35, it will be my 18th year in the league. I mean that's a long time to be playing. It will be the last year in my contract, so I don't know. I don't know if I'll play any lo...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
