The Los Angeles Lakers failed to make head-turning moves this offseason, but superstar guard Kobe Bryant said that he is happy with the offseason moves his team made this summer.
The Lakers tried to acquire Carmelo Anthony, but they failed to sign the All-Star forward, who decided to return and sign a five-year deal with the New York Knicks.
Aside from losing in the Anthony sweepstakes, the Lakers also lost All-Star center Pau Gasol, who signed a three-year, $22 million offer contract with the Chicago Bulls.
Bryant, who will be playing in the first year of his fresh two-year deal next season, is a good friend and vocal supporter of Gasol, which might made people think that he will be frustrated after the Lakers let go of the veteran center.
But in an interview with ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Bryant said that he is happy with the organization's effort this summer.
"I can sit here and tell you with 100 percent honesty that I'm happy with the effort the organization put forward this summer," Bryant said.
While losing out in their bid to sign Anthony and failing to keep Gasol, the Lakers acquired two promising prospects in the draft - Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson.
Los Angeles also acquired veteran power forward Carlos Boozer via amnesty waivers, outbidding eight other teams, who participated in the blind bidding for the former Chicago Bulls All-Star.
Boozer's acquisition raised eyebrows with Lakers fans saying that 32-year-old forward might stunt Randle's growth because he could eat up playing time from the 2014 seventh overall pick.
But according to Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler, the Lakers made a bid to acquire Boozer, knowing that the 12-year veteran could be the perfect mentor to Randle and would be an additional locker room presence.
"Boozer's impact in the locker room was real for the Bulls which is why they waited so long to remove him. Both Bulls' guard Derrick Rose and Bulls forward Taj Gibson credit Boozer for helping them find their way in the NBA as a big brother of sorts," Kyler wrote. "Given what's on the Lakers roster, especially in the front court having a proven operator like Boozer to help ease Randle into the NBA was a wise investment."
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