LA Lakers News and Rumors: Kobe Bryant Had Talks With Team Executives, Expects Lakers To Become Title Contender Next Season

Kobe Bryant revealed that he recently had a long conversation with Los Angeles Lakers executive vice president Jim Buss about the team's offseason plans.

Bryant called out their front office executives earlier this month, saying that the Lakers should become a title contender again next season, and changes should begin on top - referring to Jim and Jeannie Buss.

Bryant said that he expects nothing but major changes this summer, insisting that he has no patience to play for a rebuilding team next season, which prompted Jim Buss to arrange a meeting with the 16-time All-Star.

"I feel like I bleed purple and gold and I want to see this franchise be successful," Bryant told ESPN. "I don't want to hear the comments of dissension between Jim and Jeanie. We need to figure this thing out. We're all moving in the same direction."

Bryant, who signed a two-year extension worth $48.5 million earlier this season, knows that the Buss siblings will not let the Lakers to become cellar dwellers for a long time, but he just want to accelerate changes, as if saying that he wants to win in the final years of his storied basketball career.

"This organization is just not going to go," Bryant said. "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."

The Lakers are having one the worst season in franchise history. They are currently in 14th place in the Western Conference standings with a measly 23-46 record, and they are set to miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2004-05 season.

Bryant did not hide his disappointment over their tumultuous campaign this year, but he expressed confidence their front office executives will make the necessary moves to become title contenders again next season.

"Extremely confident," Bryant said on their front office. "That was one of my concerns [when he re-signed] and they assured me, 'This is fair for you for everything you've done for the franchise and will continue to do while being able to construct a team that is going to contend for a championship here over the next couple of years.'"

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