Eric Pincus interview w/Jim Buss Los Angeles Times.

The Lakers start training camp in just over a month and there are still many unknowns.

How will Kobe Bryant play? Was rookie guard D'Angelo Russell the right pick? Can the team make the playoffs?

On Thursday Jim Buss, part-owner and executive vice president of basketball operations, spoke to The Times about the upcoming season, the team's draft picks, his rebuilding plan — and what could be the final season of Bryant's career.

"We're going to approach it like it is, but that doesn't mean it is," Buss said of Bryant. "I'm not going to sit there and say, 'This is it, Kobe, you're done,' because it's not my decision, it's his decision."

Bryant, with one year left on his contract, will be the highest paid player in the NBA this season at $25 million. Buss gave Bryant a two-year, $48.5-million extension in 2013 before he even returned from a torn Achilles' tendon six months earlier.

Since then, Bryant has played in only 41 games over the last two seasons because of a fractured kneecap, followed by a torn rotator cuff last season.

Buss has received plenty of criticism for over-investing in the aging star, who just turned 37 as he heads into his 20th season.

"The man has done so much for the Lakers and the fans of the Laker nation, he deserves the money," Buss said. "I don't understand anybody trying to break down what I did for him. Let's break down what he did for us, then say, what is he worth? To me, he's worth that."

So is this Bryant's final year with the team? "My arms are like this," Buss said, holding his arms wide open, about Bryant's future.

"He just has to know, at that age, and that many miles on you, what is your role? We'll explain the role, and if he still wants to do that and that's how he wants to go out, that's fine with me."

The Lakers went 21-61 in a painful 2014-15 campaign, the worst in franchise history, but Buss remains optimistic.

"I'm very competitive, so it hurts. It hurts terribly," Buss said. . "I try to look at the future while I'm watching the present, and that is to find core players. I think we've done a good job doing that."

He's upbeat about Julius Randle, selected with the seventh overall pick in 2014. The former Kentucky power forward went down on opening night last season with a broken leg.

Randle has since recovered, and is gearing up for what is essentially a second shot at a rookie season.

"He's a beast. He's been working out with some ex-NBA players and handling himself very well. He's super strong, very fit," Buss said.

Another player Buss is excited about is guard Jordan Clarkson, whom the Lakers selected with the 46th pick in 2014. After spending most of the first half last season on the bench, Clarkson proved to be one of the best of his class, earning a nod on the NBA's all-rookie first team.

"Watching Jordan Clarkson develop [this summer], he's followed that same path, how he got better and better every game," Buss said.

The Lakers have traditionally built their championship rosters with big men, but the team passed on Duke center Jahlil Okafor to take Ohio State guard Russell with the second overall pick in the 2015 draft.

"We've got high aspirations for him," Buss said. "We normally look to get bigs, but [Russell] was just that impressive, that we just didn't feel right passing up on him.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-jim-buss-20150828-story.html

 

Can I have an autographed PM before you get too famous? Props! And I haven't even had a chance to read yet. On my list.


Edit..... Yes, nice read realdeal

 

Good read Real.

 

Jim speaking of having a solid core of 7 or 8 young guys to carry the team forward as a barometer of success...

That is music to my ears after having so many years of swinging for the fences and not quite getting there (since the last chip in 2010, that is). Now that's what would attract future FA's to push over the top once again. I've been wanting youth movement since the clown bolted to Texas. I'm glad its' finally coming to light AND we got solid young guys to build around.

 

I thought it was a good interview as well. I'm ready to start the climb back to the top...

 

Yeah, I share all the other sentiments. Good stuff. Congrats on the new gig as well, man. Good for you.

 

i dont know if it's just me but he seemed to kind of moved the goal posts

a couple of years ago, when he made that statement 'i'll step down if we're not contending' i thought it was a very bold move


now, i'm reading 'its not about wins or losses or making the playoffs...instead it's having a core of 8 players' or something


sure sounds a whole lot different...sounds like he's asking for more time...honestly, if there isnt a MAJOR improvement in the next couple of years, Jeannie needs to make him honor his initial proclamation

 

I wanted the three year program to have started 2 years ago. I don't like his math, but I am cautiously optimistic on seeing the young guns develop this year.