March 2013 Los Angeles Lakers Wiretap

Source: Kobe Bryant Could Be X-Factor In Carmelo Anthony's Free Agency

Sep 30, 2013 11:09 PM

When Carmelo Anthony heads for unrestricted free agency next offseason, Kobe Bryant could be the X-factor in Anthony's negotiations with the New York Knicks, according to a source.

The Lakers will have cap space next summer and Bryant could promise Anthony that together they can make a run at a championship in Los Angeles.

“For me, it’s about being part of a winning organization,” Anthony said on Monday.

The Knicks will be able to offer Anthony $30 million more than any other team in free agency.

Frank Isola/New York Daily News

Tags: Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Pau Gasol Believes Extension With Lakers Will Depend On Performance

Sep 29, 2013 11:43 PM

The Los Angeles Lakers have not discussed a contract extension for Pau Gasol at this point, and the veteran forward believes the chances of a new deal will depend on his performance this season.

"If the team is interested, they will approach me and at some point there will be some kind of meeting," Gasol said. "But I’m not sure when or how. I think it’s going to depend on how I perform during the season. The better I perform, I’m sure the more interested they will be to try to sign me, I guess."

Gasol, who will make $19.3 million in the final season of his current contract, is still working to regain full health entering opening night.

"I’ve learned to live my life on a daily basis and try to have fun in the process," Gasol said.

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Tags: Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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LeBron Doesn't Want To Go Back To Cold Winters

Sep 26, 2013 5:53 PM

With speculation that LeBron James could return to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014, but he admitted to enjoying the weather in Miami.

“I miss the slower pace back home but have grown used to my new city’s little perks like fresh fish and sweet fruit,” said James. “It will definitely be someplace warm. I don’t want to go back to cold winters.”

The Los Angeles Lakers also could have enough cap space to sign James, though even those within the franchise believe it is a longshot.

James signed with the Miami Heat in 2010.

Rebecca Kleinman/Women's Wear Daily

Tags: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Dan Gadzuric Joins Lakers For Training Camp

Sep 26, 2013 6:10 AM

The Los Angeles Lakers will bring Dan Gadzuric to training camp.

Gadzuric last played in the NBA in 2012 with the New York Knicks and played last season in Venezuela.

Gadzuric played collegiately at UCLA.

Ramona Shelburne/ESPN

Tags: Dan Gadzuric, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Lakers Sign Eric Boateng, Darius Johnson-Odom To Camp Deals

Sep 26, 2013 5:28 AM

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed center Eric Boateng and guard Darius Johnson-Odom.

Boateng, a free agent center out of Arizona State University, has split time over the last three seasons playing for the Idaho Stampede and the Austin Toros of the NBA’s Development League in addition to playing internationally for the Greek Basket League team Peristeri and the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig in Germany. 

Johnson-Odom, the 55th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, was acquired by the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks on draft night. The 6-2 guard out of Marquette appeared in four games for the Lakers last season, where he totaled four rebounds and one assist in six minutes.

The Lakers' training camp roster now stands at 18 players.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Eric Boateng, Darius Johnson-Odom, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kobe Has Remained Patient, Smart With Rehab Process

Sep 23, 2013 7:51 AM

Los Angeles Lakers' trainer Gary Vitti has been surprised by how smart Kobe Bryant has been in recovering from a torn Achilles in regards to his patience.

Bryant remains a few weeks away from returning to basketbal-related activities.

"I thought he was going to be worse with pushing, pushing, pushing,” Vitti said of Bryant. “But he’s been very, very smart about the entire process.”

Mark Medina/Los Angeles Daily News

Tags: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Injury

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Lakers Taking Wait-And-See Approach For Kobe Bryant's Next Contract

Sep 23, 2013 1:06 AM

The Los Angeles Lakers have not opened discussions with Kobe Bryant about a new contract, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

The Lakers are taking a wait-and-see approach as Bryant recovers from a torn Achillies.

Only Steve Nash, Robert Sacre and Nick Young are on the Lakers' books for 2014-15, meaning a spending spree awaits with potential free agents LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Zach Randolph, Rudy Gay, Luol Deng, Dirk Nowitzki, Danny Granger and Marcin Gortat.

If Bryant asks for the maximum 5% raise over his current salary, he would earn $32 million in 2014-15. The Lakers will not pay him that much. If Bryant took a dramatic pay cut and asked for $10 to $12 million for 2014-15, it would give the Lakers space to add two top-level free agents next summer.

"How long and for how much do you keep Kobe around?" NBA salary-cap expert Larry Coon said. "What's the line between loyalty to him and loyalty to making the franchise a winning team? They want to maximize their cap room. Having Kobe on the books at a big salary would really cut into their signing ability."

Mike Bresnahan/Los Angeles Times

Tags: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Jeanie Buss 'Stunned' When Lakers Didn't Hire Jackson

Sep 22, 2013 11:04 AM

Jeanie Buss was "stunned" when her brother, Jim Buss, decided not to hire Phil Jackson last November.

The Los Angeles Lakers hired Mike D'Antoni in a surprising move.

"I was stunned," said Buss. "I said to Phil, 'They came to you. You were not looking for the job. I cannot believe this.'"

Los Angeles Times

Tags: Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Ryan Kelly Signs One-Year, Unguaranteed Deal With Lakers

Sep 21, 2013 1:46 AM

Ryan Kelly signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kelly has dealt with foot problems in recent years and will not be ready for the start of training camp with the Lakers.

Kelly, a 6-11 forward out of Duke, was selected by the Lakers in the second round (48th overall pick) in the 2013 NBA draft.

Mike Bresnahan/Los Angeles Times

Tags: Ryan Kelly, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Official Signing, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA Injury

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Kobe Bryant Expected To Miss Lakers' Preseason Games

Sep 16, 2013 11:07 PM

Kobe Bryant is making progress in his recovery from a torn Achillies tendon, but the Los Angeles Lakers' star is expected to miss the entire eight-game preseason slate.

"He's progressing well and has met all the targets and milestones of his rehab, and we expect him to make a full recovery," Lakers spokesman John Black said on Monday. "One of the key issues is to make sure he builds up strength and endurance not only in his Achilles but also in his legs, knees, back and core."

The Lakers begin the regular season Oct. 29 against the Clippers. It is unknown if Bryant will be back in time.

"We're going to avoid giving a target return date until he's doing full weight-bearing running and on-court basketball activities, at the earliest," Black said.

Bryant will be a spectator when the Lakers begin training camp Sept. 28 in El Segundo.

Bryant has given periodic rehab updates on his Twitter and Facebook accounts, and he said last month in an interview that he had "shattered" the typical timetable for an Achilles tear.

Mike Bresnahan/Los Angeles Times

Tags: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Injury

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Marcus Landry Signs With Lakers

RealGM Staff Report

Jordan Hill Shooting 1,000 Jumpers Per Day

Mark Medina/Los Angeles Daily News

Darius Morris To Sign Partially Guaranteed Deal With 76ers

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Source: No One Within Lakers Believes They Can Sign LeBron In Free Agency

Henry Abbott/ESPN

Showtime Developing Scripted Show With Lakers' Brass As Producers

Michael O'Connell, Lesley Goldberg/Hollywood Reporter

LeBron May Consider Complete Silence On 2014 Questions

Chris Broussard/ESPN

Xavier Henry Signs With Lakers

RealGM Staff Report

Xavier Henry Receiving Interest From Lakers

Ramona Shelburne/ESPN

Sources: Lakers Doubt Ryan Kelly Will Be Ready For Season

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Shawne Williams Signs With Lakers

RealGM Staff Report

Pete Mickeal Receiving Interest From Lakers, 76ers

Jorge Sierra/HoopsHype