So now that the Lakers have a couple months off, what's next? Well they need to make sure that they bring everyone back for next year. There are two unrestricted free agents on the team that the Lakers NEED to make sure they re-sign: Trevor Ariza, Lamar Odom. Both Ariza and Odom have made it clear that they want to return to the Lakers next year. Odom even went as far as to say that he would take a pay cut to come back (Yeah like that'll really happen). Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said that he intends to do whatever he has to do to make sure both guys are back next year.
The Lakers may be able to re-sign both players simply because the economy is horrible and teams aren't willing to spend as much money on players as they would in years past. The Lakers really have no excuse not to bring back Odom and Ariza. They have the money to do it, it's just a matter of how much Lakers Owner Jerry Buss is willing to spend. In my opinion, you cannot break up a championship team. The Lakers MUST re-sign both if they want to have a chance to repeat, they cannot settle for one. Odom and Ariza officially become free agents on July 1st, at which then other teams can start making offers. Odom and Ariza will be certainly getting big offers from other teams, but I've got faith in the Lakers management that they will re-sign both.
Another big question mark is whether or not Phil Jackson will return to coach the team next season. Jackson, who is the all-time winningest coach in NBA History with 10 championships, said his health will be the determining factor in whether or not he comes back. Jackson plans on going through a series of medical tests, after which he will make his decision.
It will be an interesting off-season for the World Champions, but we Laker fans can only hope for nothing but the best in the next couple of months.
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