Kobe Bryant practiced on Saturday and is getting closer to making his season debut.

Bryant has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers, but a return on Friday against the Sacramento Kings is possible.

Bryant is coming back from a torn Achilles.

The Los Angeles Lakers have waived forward Elias Harris.

Harris appeared in two games for the Lakers this season, tallying a rebound, an assist and a steal in 11 minutes. The two-time All-West Coast Conference Team selection out of Gonzaga University started all five games for the Lakers’ 2013 Summer League team in Las Vegas, averaging 10.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 27.0 minutes.

Kobe Bryant is willing to allow his game to evolve as he enters the final phase of his career coming back from a torn Achilles.

“There’s different ways I can go,” Bryant said. “Obviously, the easier of the two would be if I could have the same type of explosiveness that I had last year. It makes my game very easy. But if it’s not there, I’m ready to adapt.”

Bryant signed a two-year, $48.5 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers this week.

The Los Angeles Lakers have not held extension discussions with Pau Gasol, who is eligible for free agency this offseason.

Gasol, who is 33, is averaging 14.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks this season.

"We have not had any discussions with Pau," general manager Mitch Kupchak said Tuesday on a conference call with a small group of reporters. "I’m sure I will and where that leads I’m not sure right now. A lot has to do with different variables. I’m not saying that something won’t be considered and I’m not saying that something will be. I’m just saying that it’s not something that came up and it wouldn’t have come up before (Monday) anyway. There was no reason for anything to take place until we signed Kobe. So, we’ll kind of roll with that and see where it leads."

Gasol said he did not know how Bryant's new deal impacts his contract status.

"I try not to make that assumption," Gasol said on Tuesday. "If I am, I will. If I’m not . . . I’m just focusing on trying to play as well as I can and finish the season as good as I can so I’m in the best position as possible for next year. That’s just my mindset about it."

Gasol was asked if he's about Bryant taking up $23.5 million of the Lakers' expected $62.9 million in cap space next season.

"I don’t really think about that," Gasol said. "I thought it was a good extension for him. He’s the face of the Lakers, pretty much. So, I just think it caught a lot of people off guard unexpectedly without him being back playing and showing how well has he recovered from that injury. Other than that, it was a great extension for him. 

"As far as me, or the team which is I’m most concerned about, how can you add other pieces around him and valuable pieces so we can win a title. But that’s the only concern. I’m not good with the mathematics and the numbers of the equation here, but that’s the only concern." 

The Los Angeles Lakers established a reputation for taking good care of their players under the ownership of Dr. Jerry Buss and that has continued with his children running the organization.

The loyalty shown by the Lakers in their new deal with Kobe Bryant is an example.

"Historically, this organization has been good to its players," said Mitch Kupchak. "I know they’ve been good to me. I know that. But I think our reputation, based on Dr. Buss’ ownership over the years, has been a good one in taking care of players and being a destination place for players. I know our city is attractive to players. They like to play and they like to live. We have great fans here. They really support the franchise. To know that an organization looks after its players, I think that’s a good thing."

Kobe Bryant said on Tuesday that he's farther from a return than he has let on in recent weeks, such as saying he could return before November ends.

"Probably weeks [away]," Bryant said of his return to the Los Angeles Lakers' lineup.

Bryant tore his Achilles tendon in April.

Bryant signed a two-year extension with the Lakers on Monday.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant agreed upon a two-year, $48.5 million contract extension on Monday.

"This was easy," Bryant told Yahoo Sports on Monday night. "This wasn't a negotiation. The Lakers made their offer with cap and building a great team in mind while still taking care of me as a player.

"I simply agreed to the offer."

The Lakers have little chance of a max contract player signing with them this offseason regardless of whether Bryant signed the NBA's richest deal or not.

The Lakers are betting Bryant can continue to drive ticket sales and TV ratings while making them relevant again.

Ryan Kelly and Elias Harris have been re-assigned by the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA D-League's D-Fenders.

Kelly and Harris have spent time with both the Lakers and their D-League affiliate this season.

Kobe Bryant has signed a two-year extension with the Los Angeles Lakers worth $48.5 million.

Bryant will earn $23.5 million in 14-15 and $25 million in 15-16.

The contract will essentially guarantee that Bryant remains with the Lakers for his entire career. Bryant's representatives have been negotiating with the Lakers over the past two weeks.

The Lakers will have one max contract slot available this offseason.

“This is a very happy day for Lakers fans and for the Lakers organization,” said Kupchak. “We’ve said all along that our priority and hope was to have Kobe finish his career as a Laker, and this should ensure that that happens. To play 20 years in the NBA, and to do so with the same team, is unprecedented, and quite an accomplishment. Most importantly however, it assures us that one of the best players in the world will remain a Laker, bringing us excellent play and excitement for years to come.”

Nick Young is averaging nearly 17 points in his last five games and has sparked the Los Angeles Lakers with his swagger and confidence off the bench.

"He is unique," Pau Gasol said of Young. "He is definitely special. He’s a guy that feeds on his own confidence, so when he feels good about himself, he becomes a very effective player and a great scorer. So, tonight he got it going. He hit some big shots. He’s a very skilled offensive player, but he definitely has a personality and we have to embrace it."

Young is the fourth-highest scoring reserve this season, but the guard says the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award is not currently on his mind.

"I’m just trying to get wins," Young said. "If it happens, there’s some more bragging rights for me to just talk trash and just have fun with it."