CHAPTER 1319: CHAPTER 532.10: ABOUT THE TIMELINE

"The 13-14 season, you won the championship and the Finals MVP, officially replacing Kobe Bryant as the face of the Lakers in the eyes of fans, and representing basketball in the Greater Los Angeles area.

At the championship parade, General Manager Mitch Kupchak officially announced the completion of a 2-year, $20 million contract renewal with Pau Gasol.

After the celebration, Bryant expressed to Jim Buss his desire for a pay cut and renewal, hoping for an annual salary of $15 million to $20 million, but was rejected by Jim Buss.

Jim Buss adhered to the principles of his father, Jerry Buss, and renewed Bryant’s contract for two years with an annual average of $30 million.

Kupchak conveyed the Bass family’s thoughts to the media: Kobe is a six-time champion, he is our Michael Jordan, and we are willing to continue to give him the same treatment as Jordan.

This choice by the Bass family was interpreted by Chinese media as—an expensive gesture to hire a renowned ’horse’ that motivates others by its presence.

Your salary for the new season increased to $16.15 million, Gasol’s to $10 million, Steve Nash’s final year of a 3-year contract to $9.7 million, and along with other player contracts, even if Bryant retired immediately, the Lakers’ total salary was already near the cap limit, and Bryant taking $15 million or $30 million would have little effect on the salary cap.

However, renewing Bryant with a salary far exceeding his current performance made him the second player in NBA history to receive $30 million annually for three consecutive years, showcasing the Lakers’ affection for their veteran hero.

Some media stated that this was done for your benefit, as Bryant’s contract expires in 2016, coinciding with the player option you have to opt out of your contract.

Other media analysis suggested that the commercial value brought by allowing Bryant to receive $30 million annually for three consecutive years was greater than if he took a pay cut to $15 million to $20 million.

After the renewal of the core players Gasol and Bryant, the Lakers began their offseason strengthening work.

In the 2014 draft, the Lakers selected 22-year-old mature shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, who already had four years of European league experience, from Serbia with the 26th pick in the first round. Kupchak has high hopes for him, but he has a 3-year contract with the Fenerbahçe team in Turkey, with a high buyout price, preventing immediate entry to the NBA.

With the 41st pick obtained from the Hornets, they selected 22-year-old senior point guard Jordan Clarkson from the University of Tulsa, signing him to a two-year minimum salary contract.

With the 56th overall pick in the second round, they selected 23-year-old senior center Tarik Black from the University of Kansas, signing a 1-year non-guaranteed minimum salary contract.

The target for the Lakers’ management in this draft was clear—all are ready-to-play talents.

After the free agency market opened, the Lakers quickly completed renewal or parting decisions with the championship lineup.

Successfully renewed backup power forward Ed Davis and backup small forward Wesley Johnson both on 1-year minimum salary deals.

A 2-year, $4 million renewal for Kent Bazemore who can play positions 1-3.

Jordan Hill, who averaged 8.7 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 block per game in the 13-14 regular season, asked for a million-dollar annual salary. After weighing their options, the Lakers management, holding his bird rights, offered a 1-year, $9 million short-term deal, which Hill accepted, completing the cap-tied renewal.

Robert Sacre, due to his diligent training attitude and highly positive support style, had a good relationship with you, Bryant, Nash, and Gasol, resulting in a two-year minimum salary renewal contract.

Xavier Henry, who played 42 games as a substitute averaging 9 points in the regular season and 10 games averaging 6.8 points in the playoffs, did not receive a renewal offer due to injury, but the Lakers will continue to provide treatment. However, according to legendary trainer Gary Vitti, Henry’s current physical condition is unlikely to allow him to return to the court.

Kendall Marshall did not receive a renewal offer and joined the Bucks on a 1-year non-guaranteed minimum salary deal.

Jodie Meeks received a 3-year, $21 million offer from the Pistons. A second-round pick from the 2009 draft, he signed a two-year contract with the Lakers in 2012 as a free agent. The Lakers did not hold his bird rights, only having the mini mid-level exception available, thus allowing him to leave.

Also choosing to leave were MarShon Brooks and Chris Kaman. Brooks joined Serie A’s team Milan for 3 years, $3.5 million euros, while Kaman joined the Trail Blazers for 2 years, $13.15 million on a full-level contract.

Five players left the championship lineup. With the addition of the two newly signed draft picks, the roster only consists of 12 players, insufficient to meet the 13-man activated roster requirement (After 2010, in one game, the NBA allowed up to 13 players).

However, unlike the cooling of the free agent market in 2013, multiple veterans and strong-role players applied for trials right after the market opened in 2014.

After a summer of considerations, the Lakers management signed Nick Young, who averaged 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game in the 13-14 season with the 76ers, with a two-year mini-mid-level contract;

Signed the amnestied former all-star power forward Carlos Boozer on a 1-year minimum salary, who averaged 13.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game in the 13-14 season with the Chicago Bulls, although his points, rebounds, assists, and shooting percentage were the lowest since his sophomore year, leading to the Bulls amnestying him to save luxury tax cost.

Signed 2009 first-round pick Wayne Ellington to a 1-year minimum salary. He was the 2009 NCAA Final Four MOP, a scoring shooting guard, but his lack of passing and ball-handling skills made him unsuitable for organizing offense, and his 190 cm height disadvantaged him as a shooting guard, leading to repeated waivers. He caught the attention of Lakers head coach Mike Budenholzer after averaging 1.4 three-pointers per game with a 42.4% shooting rate in the 13-14 season with the Mavericks.