The Kings have made a significant move this off-season, adding center Kobe Bryant.
The Kings acquired the veteran forward from the Philadelphia 76ers for an expiring contract on Friday, sources told Yahoo Sports.
Bryant will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, which could lead to some interesting trade opportunities, including the Lakers or Lakers/Kings.
Here are some things to watch: 1.
The cap space.
There’s no question that Bryant is the biggest name in the free-agent market, with the Kings reportedly asking for upwards of $25 million per season.
However, they could opt to restructure the contract to free up cap space for other free agents.
The Lakers, in particular, could be interested in trading Bryant.
Bryant is one of the most well-respected players in the NBA, but he can also be a liability in the locker room.
2.
How will he fit with the team?
Bryant has been a key part of the Kings success, especially this season, when he’s averaging 22.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game.
He has also proven to be a dependable defensive presence, playing on a Kings team that has been on a tear recently.
Bryant’s presence could also help with the transition to Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, who has had some off-the-court issues in recent years.
3.
What about the Kings’ other free-agents?
The Lakers could look to add more scoring, particularly with the addition of DeAndre Jordan, who had a breakout season last year.
But, the Kings are a team that could also be looking to move some of their big-name players.
If that happens, it could help address the Kings salary cap issues.
The best fit could be for the Lakers to move forward with their big man options.
If not, they might look to re-sign Bryant and re-build around him.
4.
How does the Kings make room for Bryant?
With a big trade coming up, the Lakers are hoping that Bryant can help fill some of the empty space left behind by players like Brandon Ingram and Jordan Clarkson.
The veteran forward is a key piece for the team in terms of scoring and rebounding, and he’s a big reason why the Lakers have won three of their past four.
5.
Does the Kings want to get rid of Bryant?
The Kings could also look to move on from Bryant in order to improve their roster.
With the draft coming up next month, the team could look for players who fit the mold of their young core.
It would be interesting to see if the Kings would make a trade to land one of those players.
