Bryant signed two year extension but wants success next season.
Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant has revealed that he wants the franchise to accelerate their rebuilding plans as he wants to win next season.
The 18-year veteran signed a two-year extension worth $48.5m back in November last year, but despite seemingly having time on his side, the 35-year-old is keen to get the roster rebuilt as quickly as possible.
It is unclear at this stage as to who the Lakers will target this summer, with various experts and columnists insisting that they are more likely to attack the free agency market in 2015.
However, they remain just a half-game above the Utah Jazz at the bottom of the Western Conference and will likely have a keen eye on the draft later this year.
Nevertheless, after a frustrating campaign in which he has been severely restricted due to injuries, Bryant is adamant that the Lakers can make a comeback next year.
“This organization is just not going to go [down],” Bryant said, as reported by ESPN.
“It’s not going to take a nose dive. But I think we need to accelerate it a little bit for selfish reasons, because I want to win and I want to win next season. So, it’s kind of getting them going now as opposed to two years from now.”
Bryant went on to add that he is extremely confident in the front office’s ability to rebuild the organisation, as they look set to finish with the worst record in franchise history by replacing the 1974-75 team’s mark of 30-52.
However, while injuries have undoubtedly been an issue throughout the season for coach Mike D’Antoni, Bryant is confident that things will be different next year as he believes that the team must have the mindset that they are going to produce the “greatest comeback that the league has ever seen”.
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