The Los Angeles Lakers have had their eyes on multiple star players in the past but there was one problem — no one wanted to play second fiddle to Kobe Bryant.
Bryant was the top dog regardless of who came in and that was proven when the Lakers acquired Dwight Howard for a time. As everyone knows, Howard barely lasted a season and eventually moved on to the Houston Rockets.
Other players the Lakers tried to reel in include Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, and just recently, LaMarcus Aldridge. One way or the other, none of them found the Lakers appealing.
But with Bryant announcing that this would be his last season, could such change all that?
The Lakers have, apparently, sided with Bryant, something that many felt was too much. Although the move did produce some National Basketball Association (NBA) titles, the fact is no one wanted to take a backseat to the Black Mamba.
Come 2016, the scenario could change with Bryant out of the picture. Big names who could seriously take over the top dog role include Kevin Durant, DeMarcus Cousins, or even James if any of them are called up and offered an irresistible deal.
Money is not seen as a problem since unloading Bryant means that the Lakers would have surplus cash to spend. So it seems the imminent question now is who will take the bait?
Right now, top NBA players are likely to be thinking about that but are unlikely to hint their interest until Bryant's retirement becomes official. But the development does place the team in a good position to start from scratch and with someone new.
Durant is looming as the top agent for next season as well as some other key players who have been silently placed back. And do remember that there are a lot of players who can opt out of their contracts too like Dwyane Wade for next season.
From all accounts, it will be a busy summer for the Lakers. The only thing left to be seen is how they will reel the top players in.
