Hypothetical 2010 scenario (Kobe, Coach Jackson gone)

[alexcuse]

This scenario may not be as impossible as it may first seem:

1) Kobe does not opt out of contract this year.

2) Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher retires/leaves Lakers at end of 2010 season.

3a) For whatever reason, Lakers have early exit in 2010 playoffs. Kobe Bryant is pissed like in 2007 and sees bleak Lakers future esp w/o Phil & Derek. Kobe opts out at end of 2010, From this article, it doesn't seem like he has a financial disincentive from signing with another team due to the Over-36 rule. He signs a 4-year deal with New York to play at his favorite venue MSG, with a coach he respects in Mike D'Antonio. New York will also sign other stars to the team to be a championship contendor, but such that Kobe clearly remains the MVP of the team.

or

3b) Lakers win another championship in 2010. Kobe wants to leave Lakers while on top ala Jordan and afraid that with Phil/Fisher gone the Lakers' window is closed. He pulls a Jordan 1993 and has a an early retirement while on top, maybe to become a movie superstar before potentially coming back.

Now even if you think the above scenarios has 99% chance of not happening, let's just suppose it could and have fun with it.

With Kobe opting out, would Lakers suddenly have enough cap space to sign one of 2010 superstars to a max deal?

A second superstar could theoretically be obtained through sign-and-trade which Lakers would have more trade assets than any other team. For example, if LeBron insists on leaving for a major market, Cleveland could do a sign-and-trade with Lebron in exchange for Gasol from LA. Note that such sign-and-trade scenarios could not exist with Kobe still on the team, because the aging Kobe would dislike a new superstar potentially replacing as the MVP of the team.

Imagine the possibilities, two superstars (one signed directly, one sign-and-trade), plus another big free agent through MLE. What would be some possible scenarios to create the best direction for future of the Lakers?

[snaquille oatmeal]

wow! why don't we enjoy this years championship and leave all the hypothetical speculation to Cleveland and knicks fans for now.

[SashAlex]

WTF ?!

[DEEP3CL]

Incredible that somebody would even contemplate thinking of all that. It's not reality, hey new comer you've got to learn how the CBA works big time.

[96 Til Infiniti]

How about we win as many championships as we can with this current group, and enjoy every moment of it.

And when it inevitably falls apart due to retirements, put our trust in Dr. Buss to rebuild the team just as he did after the Showtime era and Kobe-Shaq era. We're fortunate to be fans of an organization that values winning above anything else.

[CITYOFANGELSX3]

IBTL!!!!!!!!!!

[TommyTheCat]

here's my hypo that's way more realistic. jackson gets health clearance and stays (or we do Robophil per EE's thread from a year ago), fish stays, kobe opts out next offseason to resign for another 5 years, odom & ariza both get new contracts.

lakers are contenders for a few more years

[RJM]

What if Wilt Chamberlain decided to start for us at Center in 2010? Do we then trade for Lebron James?

[hermes]

what only two superstars and a big name FA???

lets field a whole All-Star team!

CP3/Wade/Lebron/Bosh/Howard

DO IT MITCH

[aussie_laker]

Imagine the possibilities, two superstars (one signed directly, one sign-and-trade), plus another big free agent through MLE

do we not already have this?

Kobe

Pau

Odom (through a trade)

[daddyfivestar]

I like option C - Kobe wins another MVP and the Lakers win their 3 title in a row.

[Sedale Threatt]

wow...

[Erik Eleven]

Locked.