Lakers Rumors & News Recap: The Olympics, Championship Rings, and More Trade Rumors

The official Team USA Olympic roster came out a few days ago and the list is packed with talent. Alongside the Lakers own Kobe Bryant and 2012 championship winner LeBron James, Clippers’ Blake Griffin, the Thunder’s James Harden and the 76ers’ Andre Iguodala were the last three to secure spots on the list and play in their first ever Olympic games. The roster also includes 2011-2012 NBA Finals participants Russell Westbrook,  Kevin Durant, and Chris Bosh.

Over the past decade, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James have been compared, including a lot of jabs back and forth this past season. James finally won his first ring this year, but that does not compare to the five in Kobe’s arsenal. And Kobe knows it. When asked by Sports Illustrated whether or not Bryant would remind James of the championship tally during their time with Team USA this summer, Kobe said he would. In the four years since their last Olympics together, Bryant has accumulated two more rings, where LeBron has only one. We’ve got to love Kobe for his competitive spirit; the young pups are going to have a hard time stripping him of the top dog title.

Raja Bell will officially become an unrestricted free agent after agreeing to a contract buyout with the Utah Jazz. Bell is 36, but still believes he has a lot to offer a team like Los Angeles. The Lakers appear to be a top choice for guard, especially after Kobe recruited him last season to join the squad. The left knee injury Bell suffered last season may be a concern for the Lakers. With the Lakers not getting any younger, GM Mitch Kupchak and company may stay away from adding players with questionable health at an advanced age.

Lakers Nation News

Clippers Could Be Missing Piece for Nets to Get Howard

Kobe Bryant Talks Steve Nash, Sixth Ring with Colin Cowherd

Kobe Bryant Will Remind LeBron James of Championship Tally

Raja Bell an Option for the Lakers?

The First Ever Lakers Nation Locker Room Talk

Lakers News

The Other Shoe May Not Drop [Forum Blue and Gold]

Steve Nash is an Efficiency Expert [LA Times]

NBA Free Agency 2012: Andrew Bynum Flexes His Free Agent Muscle, Likely Costs Lakers Dwight Howard [Silver Screen and Roll]

Steve Blake Antsy for First Championship Ring [LA Times]

Kobe Bryant: Steve Nash Will Make Lakers a Dangerous Team Next Season [Yahoo Sports]

Pau Gasol Excited About Steve Nash on the Lakers [Dime Magazine]

Lakers Summer Updates [NBA.com]

Kobe is Relaxed and Ready for the Olympics [LA Times]

Lakers Fans, Beware of What You Ask For [OC Register]

Sunday Reading: Kobe, Nash, Howard, and More [Forum Blue and Gold]

Belated: Birthday Gift Ideas for Pau Gasol [LA Times]

NBA News

U.S. Olympic Basketball Roster Is Versatile, but Not Tall [The New York Times]

Heat Eye Lewis After Landing Allen [Sports Illustrated]

New York Knicks, Miami Heat Pursue Center Marcus Camby [ESPN]

Pluses and Minuses of Clippers Moves [The Point Forward]

Portland’s Two-Pronged Approach [True Hoop  Blog]

Free Agent Profile: Grant Hill [LA Times]

The Dallas Mavericks are Going to be Paying Jason Kidd When He’s 42 [The Basketball Jones]

What Would the USA Basketball Roster Look Like if No NBA Players Were Allowed in These Olympics? [Yahoo Sports]

Portland Trail Blazers President Larry Miller Resigns After 5 Years [ESPN]

UPDATED REPORT: Where is Dwight Howard Headed? [OC Register]

Injuries Force Roster Changes, but USA Basketball Team is Better For It [Sports Illustrated]