As the 2014-15 NBA regular season came to a close, it was clear that the L.A. Lakers would miss the playoffs for the second consecutive year. This prompted the front office, led by GM Mitch Kupchak , to initiate a rebuild.
While many vets were anticipated to make way for younger talent that aligned with the team's new timeline, one Laker was exempt from this transition: the iconic Kobe Bryant.
"At some point, we have to start a new run, and that's definitely going to include Kobe next year. To jeopardize the next five or seven years...[by bringing] in old veterans that make a lot of money, just to win one more year, because that's Kobe's last year or could be his last year, I'm not sure that fits into doing it the right way,” remarked Kupchak, per ESPN.
Rebuilding the Lakers
In the mid-2010s, the Purple and Gold faced a tough situation. A large portion of their cap space was tied up in Bryant . However, with all due respect to the legendary player, the 36-year-old could no longer justify that amount of money.
The previous year, ‘The Black Mamba’ had played only six games due to injury . Then, just 35 games into the current season, he suffered a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. This marked Kobe's third consecutive season-ending injury.
As a result, others urgently needed to step up. However, most of his teammates were young and inexperienced, not ready for the responsibility. This led Kupchak, a two-time champ with the team in the '80s, to aim for a roster revamp—but only under the right circumstances.
"We're going to look to do this the right way, which is to try to make prudent decisions about youth and veterans and making commitments to players under the existing rules,” he explained. “I'd love to be able to put together a young team that can win 55 games next year, but it's not that easy.”
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The end of an era
If 'The Black Mamba' had been traded just before his final season, it would have sparked outrage among Lakers fans, given his status as a franchise legend. The 6'6" guard-forward gradually earned that recognition after being acquired following the 1996 NBA Draft. Over the years, Kobe became one of the greatest players to ever step foot on the hardwood, earning 18 All-Star selections, two scoring titles, and the 2008 MVP award.
Winning five rings with the Purple and Gold, Bryant always stood out for his fierce competitiveness. This trait was also clear when the Philly native stated, "I know that they are hell-bent about having a championship-caliber team next season, as am I,” in response to questions about the Lakers' highlighted front office plans.
Unfortunately, the 2015-16 Lakers, indeed Kobe's final team, fell well short of that goal, ending the season with a dismal 17-65 record and failing to make the postseason. Consequently, head coach Byron Scott was dismissed after the season.
At least in terms of team performance, it was a disappointing conclusion to The Black Mamba's legendary 20-year Hall of Fame career.
Related: “I just keep tearing it more and more and more” - Kobe Bryant admitted that he tore his shoulder several years ago before actual surgery
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