Mamba in the Morning: Weekend Recap

We near closer to the start of the NBA season, with just 36 days between now and tip-off for the Lakers. With training camp around the corner, the news is beginning to pick up. Here’s a weekend recap of Lakers news.

The Lakers and Kobe Bryant have yet to enter contract negotiations, reports the LA Times. Bryant won’t be in another uniform to end his career, but the quicker the team and Bryant hammer out an extension, the better for the summer of 2014.

The Lakers finalized a deal with 2nd-round draft pick Ryan Kelly. Kelly, who was hampered by a foot injury during draft workouts, had reportedly suffered a set-back in his recovery. The reports led some to believe the Lakers were considering not signing the former Duke Blue Devil, but the two ironed out a deal.

Jeanie Buss revealed that she “felt she got played” and was “betrayed” by the hiring of Mike D’Antoni over fiance Phil Jackson last year. Buss, who is writing an update to her book “Laker Girl,” talks about how the Lakers played Jackson after showing serious interest in him.

In a season full of pessimistic predictions, our own Blair Hicks looked at 5 things that could go right for the Lakers.