The multi-faceted offseason process always includes exit interviews as well as the media asking the younger players whether they have interacted or gleaned info from Kobe Bryant.
Well, it’s time someone asked the front office if they have done the same.
The Retired Mamba hopped on ESPN’s “Get Up” to speak with Jalen Rose and Mike Greenberg this week.
The interview, which you can listen to below, covered a wide swath of subjects including the Oscar winner’s latest ESPN+ project “Detail.” It’s a deep dive into game tape and how one of the sport’s greatest would break it down.
Bryant has long been an advisor to players who want tutelage from the prolific scorer. Just recently Kyle Kuzma relayed what the former Laker star had to say about perseverance when they shared a meal at BOA Steakhouse.
On “Get Up,” Greenberg asked Kobe his thoughts on the current L.A. roster and its evolution.
Bryant started by comparing the team to the Golden State Warriors in its infancy, with a young Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
As Bryant tells it, that same roster would have been sold off for parts if it was in Los Angeles. Lakers fans and, perhaps, personnel would have been giddy to rip away a marquee name from another team by trading away young assets.
Bryant makes his point:
Golden State, instead, has been able to fly below the radar and develop these players. All of a sudden here they are sitting with a team that’s a potential dynasty, because they had the patience to develop them. I say that to say the Lakers have a tremendous young roster. Rob and Magic both have unbelievable options and cap space to play with. So they’re going to make all the right moves and make the smart decisions. They put themselves in a great position.
Essentially, let the kids grow and mature and show you exactly what they can do together. Especially this team.
It’s an extremely appropriate opinion considering the issues the Spurs are having with Kawhi Leonard at the moment.
Most teams would be ecstatic to make a trade for the Spurs star. However, such a ploy from the Lakers would be costly.
Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale broke down some trade possibilities recently and examined what a scenario would look like in a purple and gold/Leonard swap.
For the Spurs, it would cost them a franchise player, one who sat out most of the previous season with a beguiling injury.
L.A. would give up a package that would include a future pick as well as Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and Kyle Kuzma.
That would be, respectively, a budding star who found confidence this past season, a back-up guard who proved he can effectively run an offense and the surprise find of the 2017 NBA Draft.
The above is obviously just a hypothetical. And the Lakers’ interest in such trade is pure conjecture.
I’m also inflating what the Lakers have a bit. There is no certainty when it comes to the Lakers core or that it will end with a downtown parade sometime in the future.
Then again, there is no certainty that a team comprised of Leonard, Lonzo Ball, spare parts and, fingers crossed, LeBron James would compete for a title in the next couple seasons.
The smart move, the Mamba move, is to stay the course and believe in the youth movement.
