Lakers NBA News, Rumors 2014: Los Angeles Eyes NBA Title Run With Nash, Boozer, Lin Backing Up Bryant

Kobe Bryant will make an impressive return for the Los Angeles Lakers in the coming NBA season playing alongside a healthier Steve Nash and top new recruits Carlos Boozer and Jeremy Lin.

Radiating pre-season optimism, Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said Bryant has recovered from his injuries and will make a big splash when the 2014-2015 NBA season opens late this month. After returning from surgery on a torn Achilles tendon last December, Bryant broke a bone near his left knee in just his sixth game during the last season, sidelining him for the rest of the tournament.

"I think [Bryant will] be very effective," Kupchak said at a press conference last week. "I'm not going to predict what his statistics will be, but ... if we needed 30 or 35 (points) from him, I think he could get it."

Bryant turned 36 last September and Nash is 40. Both are heading into their 19th NBA seasons. Nash is experiencing chronic nerve damage in his hamstrings and back over the last season, forcing him to join the team for only 15 games.

Kupchak said he doesn't know if coach Byron Scott has a plan to limit the minutes of both Bryant and Nash or participation in back-to-back games, but would support such a move.

"If there is some kind of a mandate to restrict minutes or games, hopefully the players understand it and they work with Byron on it," Kupchak said, noting Bryant's competitive nature.

Following last season's miserable performance, the Lakers dreamt of acquiring Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James. But it turned out neither of the two seriously thought of joining Bryant. Anthony stayed with the New York Knicks while James returned to his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Instead, the Lakers brought back Nick Young and Jordan Hill and added castoffs Lin and Boozer.

Los Angeles also picked collegiate standout Julius Randle from the lottery. The 6'9" rookie power forward averaged 15 points and 10.4 rebounds as a freshman at Kentucky while leading the nation in total rebounding.

Kupchak got Young on a four-year, $21.5 million deal while Hill secured an $18-million two-year contract. Young averaged a career-high 17.9 points in his first season with the Lakers playing mostly off the bench. Young has the distinction of leading the NBA in four-point plays with seven.

Xavier Henry also agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Lakers. Henry averaged career highs with 10.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in the swingman's first season with the Lakers despite numerous injuries that limited him to 43 games.

The Lakers also signed free-agent forward Ryan Kelly, who averaged 8.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists during his rookie season.

The Lakers' most recent acquisition is veteran guard Wayne Ellington. Ellington has played for four different teams over the past five years including Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Dallas Mavericks. He has a career average of 6.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, as well as 1.0 assists.

For the coming season, Kupchak believes that he has a playoff-contending roster in place built around Bryant, who will make $48.5 million over the next two seasons.

Kupchak believes that the Lakers could be a worthy contender for the championship. "Our expectations are to win a championship," he said.

Kupchak said the Lakers' fortunes depend on keeping Bryant, Nash, Boozer and Lin healthy. "They will have to stay healthy and play their best for us to be the best team we can be," he said.

The Lakers had a disappointing run in the last season, finishing 27-55 and missing the playoffs for just the third time in 38 years.

The Lakers are still busy looking for new players to fill their injury-hit roster. LA officials are reportedly scouting veteran players Ronnie Price, and Michael Beasley.