After a Dismal 2013-14 Season, What's Next for the LA Lakers?

The Los Angeles Lakers ended the 2013-2014 NBA regular season with a terrible 27-55 record. It is the worst winning percentage of the franchise since 1958 and the most losses suffered by the team in the club's history. They played their last game in the regular season against the San Antonio Spurs on April 16, 2014. Expectedly, they did not make the playoffs and is at the last spot in the West Pacific.

They have a 14-27 record at home and 13-28 record on the road, according to Fox Sports. However, all is not lost as superstar Kobe Bryant is set to return healthy in the next season. The Lakers have a history of winning NBA championships time and again. Currently, they have 16 titles.

The Lakers are looking forward to big changes in the following season as forward Pau Gasol and point guard Steve Nash exit the team's training complex on April 17, 2014. Gasol might not come back if he does not re-sign with the team as a free agent. Nash is 40 years old and is long past his peak, only doing his best to maximize his playing contract. Although rumors circulated that Mike D'Antoni will be fired, he is still the team coach on April 18, 2014. The team is expecting huge adjustments even if D'Antoni remains.

In a report by NBC Sports, Kobe Bryant has extended his contract to two more years with the Lakers. He is 37 years old and will be in the twilight years of his professional career by the time the contract ends. Bryant said he has spoken with Jim Buss, executive VP of player personnel of the Lakers. He said he "bleeds purple and gold and I want to see this franchise be successful." When asked how he feels about the Lakers bouncing back after a terrible season, he said he is extremely confident and plans to bring the Lakers to the NBA Finals in his next two years.

Despite the disadvantages, the Lakers have a lot of salary cap available and a good pick preference in the NBA draft.