Building Ideal LA Lakers Team Both Around Kobe Bryant and Long-Term

The mission for Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, if he chooses to accept it, is to build a contender around Kobe Bryant in his last two years with the team.

That's not quite mission impossible, but it's going to be tough. The Lakers can create max cap room this offseason, but there isn't an awful lot of flexibility beyond that. Miss on a draft pick or have a few critical injuries, and the Lakers will be in big time trouble.

With that in mind, maybe the best course of action isn't to completely swing for the fences this offseason and bring in just any max free agent willing to play for the purple and gold.

The following plan may be slightly more realistic than idealistic, but here's one way to build around Bryant in the twilight of his career.

Begin Slideshow

...

About the Author