Los Angeles Lakers owner says no big moves to be expected during the offseason – NBA News
After the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the 2nd round of the playoffs for a second year in a row, a major roster change seemed imminent.
The Lakers seem to have lost their grip over the Western Conference after they lost 4-1 in the Western Conference Semi Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder exposed the weaknesses of the Lakers,
who did not seem to play well with the team. Moreover, Kobe Bryant was not happy with the team and criticised teammates Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum for lacking in energy.
After the season ended for the Lakers, it was anticipated that the Lakers would trade one of their two big men, possibly Pau Gasol, who witnessed a drop in his averages in the last two seasons, particularly in
the post seasons.
However, son of Lakers owner Jerry Buss and the man in charge of the Lakers at the moment, Jim Buss, has said that the fans should not expect any big moves in the offseason as the team intends on returning for
the next season with the same roster.
When T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times asked Buss what were the chances of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum returning as Lakers next season, he said “very good”.
Buss was of the opinion that rather than going for a roster change, the Lakers needed to change their game strategy and use the players in a different manner to improve their overall performance.
“I think changes are going to be made moving Pau lower to the basket. We can improve that way with a change in coaching strategy rather than a change in personnel,” said Buss.
One of the key players in the Lakers roster is Kobe Bryant and it is not a secret that he has a great deal of influence in the Lakers team. Infact, the major reason for the trade rumours was because people were
expecting Kobe to demand a roster change as he hunts for his 6th NBA championship ring.
However, Buss said that Kobe was on board with the team in their decisions.
“He’s already had lunch with Mitch [Kupchak], and from what I’m hearing Kobe is pretty satisfied with this team. If I heard differently from Kobe, it would put some doubt into what I was thinking. But I’m hearing
he believes this team kept together can do something. And he’s only got a short window of time remaining to win championships, so apparently he believes this group gives him the best chance to do so,” added Kupchak referring to Bryant.
Buss will be looking to re-sign point guard Ramon Sessions in the offseason after he decided to opt out of his option with the Lakers and test free agency. The Lakers now have to compete with other teams to hire
his services. But from the strategy and vision Buss has laid down, it seems that the Lakers are coming back next year with the same line-up.
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