
Obviously, the team will look at its options for the future. The options will be effected by current contracts, the (non-)existence of 2011-12 season, future coach + style choice etc. The remaining contracts length per Shamsports:
(in parenthesis are any last-year options: PO = player option, TO = team option, UG = unguaranteed)
Kobe, Gasol, Blake, Artest ... 3 years until 2014 (Artest "early termination")
Bynum, Fisher, Odom, Walton ... 2 years till 2013 (Bynum TO, Fisher PO, Odom UG)
Barnes, Brown ... PO for 2011 - 2012
Caracter, Ebanks ... UG for 2011 - 2012, qualified option for 2012-13
Johnson ... qualified option for 2011 - 2012
Ratliff, Smith ... nothing
That's 8 guaranteed contracts for the next season (if there's one) + 2 POs + 2 UGs.
If all 4 'options' are exercised (all fairly likely, I think), that's 12 players under contract, leaving UP TO 3 positions to improve. Not too shabby, but perhaps offering Fisher + Walton jobs with the team could free 2 more, for the total of 5. Lakers could definitely improve a lot with that.
If next season is canceled, only 8 (+2 QOs) would remain for the following one. Not having people under contract could save money...?
If you were Dr. Buss or Mitch Kupchak, what would be your thoughts / wishes?