With the whirlwind that is the NBA Draft now in their rear view mirror, Mitch Kupchak and the Lakers now are setting their eyes on the big prizes on the free agency market. According to Kupchak, the Lakers are ready to go all-out if superstars like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony give the Lakers the word.
In an interview with reporters following the draft, Kupchak revealed some of the Lakers plans this off-season.
"“We’re still going to pitch that this is a championship franchise and that’s going to be our goal,” Kupchak said. “As long as Kobe is on this team, we have to believe that we can contend for a championship.”"
Speaking of Kobe Bryant, Kupchak revealed that the Lakers franchise player is 100% healed from both the Achilles injury that kept him out at the beginning of the year and the fractured knee that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Kupchak also stated his plans to use Bryant in free agency.
"They do recruit each other, and I would not be surprised if Kobe reaches out or if free agents reach out to Kobe. I know from time to time we recruit free agents. I’ll call Kobe and say, ‘Hey, give this guy a call.’ We did it with Steve Nash a couple years ago. So it’s not unusual. When we do it, it’s after July 1st. Players talk year round."
This comes on the heels of the rumor that Bryant had already reached out to Anthony and intended on meeting with him during free agency. The Lakers pipe dream remains that they could somehow lure both James and Anthony to Los Angeles, uniting them with Bryant and become instant title contenders.