Where do the Lakers go from here?

[birdwatcher]

We're about to see two iconic teams (LA & Boston) go through some major transitioning this offseason. Hopefully, Danny won't make the bleeding heart decisions of Celtics past by running the current big three into retirement. Both teams will have to make some major moves, most likely through trades in order to stay relevant. It seems like the Lakers may have an advantage over the Green in terms of rebuilding--they have a couple tradeable assets, the allure of playing in the top 2(?) biggest markets in the league, and a still very capable Kobe Bryant. Any thoughts on the moves LA makes to keep them in the conversation without rebuilding as a lottery team? It's a bit too early for me to assess the State of the Shamrock, so why not focus on our rivals to pass some time until game 4?
Starting with the new coach, then the players--what's their plan?

[Mike-Dub]

With Phil retiring I feel that the first thing they should do is get rid of Kobe.  He'll just be a cancer to their team if he stays on and lingers on rebuilding teams.

[barefacedmonk]

Where do the Lakers go from here?

Fishing.

[Who]

They'll try to make a major personnel change.

They'll shop Andrew Bynum or Pau Gasol as the principal in a trade package and make a run at a young superstar.

Dwight Howard and Chris Paul will be their top targets.

[Who]

As for the new head coach, two guys stand out.

The in-house youthful replacement in Brian Shaw + the veteran option in Rick Adelman.

[__34__]

They're in Los Angeles, they have a great owner and some pieces they can trade. They'll be back in contention next year.

[RebusRankin]

Hopefully to the bottom for awhile.

[LakersFan_33]

It's pretty interesting that Gasol has regressed and Bynum has, in all honesty, been our best player of the playoffs. That makes it hard not to want to trade Gasol for Howard (which Orlando would do in an instant), as Bynum and Howard at 4 and 5 wouldn't work, as their effectiveness would be diminished by one guy having to get out of the paint to guard the stretch power forwards.

Even with Bynum's great play, I would trade him. Gasol is going to come back as his normal self, most likely. Bynum's value is very high right now, so It might work. Only problem is Orlando will probably want Hedo or Arenas to go along with Howard.

[Celticsfan336]

It would be great to see them become terrible for a couple of years!!!! Theyve been the luckiest franchise in my lifetime, and I'd love to see them have a few bad years.

Gasoft really got EXPOSED!!!!!

[get_banners]

Re: trades...Pau lost a lot of value this year. Bynum is an injury-risk at all times, and is gaining a rep as a dirty player (the hit today was no surprise). not to say they don't have a lot of value, but i don't think they're going to net what they think it will. honestly, i think you need to offer BOTH bynum and gasol to net a howard or cp3. odom isn't a bad player, either, but again, he needs to be combined with bynum or gasol to maybe get another top player in return. so...yes, they can get a great player in a trade, but they'll have to give up a lot to do so.

[Kiorrik]

It's definitely going to be interesting. Everything is. With the whole lockout coming, teams will look totally different.

With Rondo as a centerpiece, I feel really confident about our future. He's the perfect piece to build around, able to elevate play of the people around him. Perhaps he'll start changing his game too.

Yes, I've been hitting a certain color kool-aid.

As for the Lakers... well let's hope they keep Gasol and Artest. They're soft and dumb respectively. We've got their number no matter what.

I'm more scared of the Heatles to be honest. Apart from that, we'll see what happens. Just hope they don't get Howard and CP3. If they'd get them, plus some decent fillings... wow.

[OsirusCeltics]

Watching the NBA playoffs next year at home like the rest of us

[mc34]

Bynum probably hurt his trade value with that cheapshot on Barea. Before it was just an aberration, but after that he instantly becomes tagged by teams as someone with a potential attitude problem, considering that's not the first time Bynum has taken a cheapshot at someone.

Gasol will probably straighten himself out eventually.. Not sure what's going on with him lately.

As for Kobe, he's probably one of those guys who will never be traded, if only for sentimental reasons. Sorta like Paul or Tim Duncan.

[csfansince60s]

Hopefully into YEARS decades of irrelevancy.

[aporel#18]

Hopefully into YEARS decades of irrelevancy.

TP. Hopefully they follow the NY Bricks road.