With Kobe Bryant getting charged with felony sexual assault Friday, the Los Angeles Lakers' signing of veteran free agents Karl Malone and Gary Payton two days earlier couldn't have been more timely.

If Bryant is found guilty, he faces possible prison time and a league suspension. In the interim, depending on how the matter drags out in court, he might take a leave of absence to deal with the litigation. Adding future Hall of Famers Malone and Payton gives the Lakers--who still have superstar center Shaquille O'Neal--the depth to deal with Bryant's potential absence.