A TAD TARDY BLOG TODAY

The Lakers have and still will make calls

regarding possible trades. Yet the Lakers 

are also aware that any moves could

compromise a few variables they deem

important. They consider it a "high" priority,

according to the league source, both to

maintain financial flexibility for this off-

season free-agent class and to protect their

draft picks. The Lakers have a middle first-

round pick from Houston as part of the

Jeremy Lin trade. They also owe a first-

round pick to the Phoenix Suns as part

of the Steve Nash trade though they
could keep it if the selection lands

in the top five. Lakers are interested in

acquiring Phoenix guard Doran Dragic.

He has made it clear he will not re-sign 

with the Suns. He also said in an inter-

view with the L.A. news group last month

that the Lakers are one of the teams he

would consider after he opts out of his

$7.9 mil. player option to become an

unrestricted free agent this summer.

By acquiring Dragic before the deadline

the Lakers could sign him to a five-yr.

deal worth $105 mil. as opposed to a 4

yr. deal worth $80 mil. The Lakers would

also have up to $80 mil. more in cap room

to sign another free agent by securing

Dragic early. In a way this seems daunting.

Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle's

names came up.  Coach Byron Scott made the 

statement "There is not one position right

now that I can say I am totally satisfied with".

Scott also said that Kupchak wanted to 

speak with Jordan Hill. Lakers consider Hill

an asset since he has posted career-highs

in points (12.3) rebounds (8)and minutes 

played (28). His two year $18 mil. contract

also appears attractive because any trading

partner can decline his team option for 

next season. Ed Davis's name came up also.

Skepticism persists on whether Kobe Bryant

can return for his 20th. NBA season after

nursing a season -ending right shoulder 

injury that marked the third major injury

in consecutive years. Yet, coach Scott 

believes Bryant will return both for the

2015-16 campaign and even beyond.

Of course, we all know that the decision

is really up to Bryant while we wait it out

to see just how he is feeling. We all also

know that Bryant would wish to prove he

could go another couple more years if

he wanted to. Kobe visited the Lakers'

facility on Wednesday. It will be taking

another 9 months for him to heal, it is

believed. He made the statement to

the front office "in GQ magazine it is

known we are hell-bent about having

a championship-caliber team next

season and so am I.".Friday night at

Staples Center, the Lakers played 

against the Brooklyn Nets. Tied several

times during the game and even scored

ahead of them at times but lost the game.

Score at the final end was: 114-105.

A moment of silence was observed for

17-year NBA Veteran Jerome Kersey.

An ex-trail-blazer star, he died at age 52.

He played his first 11 NBA seasons in Portland.

It is believed he suffered a blood-clot.

R.I.P. Jerome.

BABS WELLS