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What's big idea?

Bynum's return in the middle will be welcomed, of course, but a major turnover of the roster seems unlikely.

LAKERS WRAP-UP

June 19, 2008|Mike Bresnahan, Times Staff Writer

Trevor Ariza could also test the free-agent market by declining a one-year, $3.1-million player option for next season, though he is not expected to do so. Chris Mihm is expected to exercise a player option to return next season for $2.5 million.

Ira Newble and DJ Mbenga are unrestricted free agents who have only a slight chance of returning. Fan favorite Coby Karl will return if the team picks up a one-year option worth $712,000.


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Luke Walton (five more years, $26 million) and Vladimir Radmanovic (three more years, $19.4 million) have weighty contracts that will be difficult to move.

About the only thing the Lakers don't have to worry about this summer is Bryant.

He has three years left on his contract, though he can opt out of it after next season.

Bryant, who turns 30 in August, was angry after the Game 6 embarrassment -- "The goal was to win a championship . . . From that aspect, we failed," he said -- but also found some kind words for the Lakers' future.

"No, we're fine," he said when asked if the team needed an off-season shake-up. "I think what we have to do is continue to work, and that's really the key, is understanding that this [Finals appearance] isn't guaranteed to anybody. There's people who have gotten here before and never gotten back, so it's important for us to understand that, to work hard and come back next year ready to go."

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mike.bresnahan@latimes.com

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Status check

The Lakers' roster and each player's contract status for next season and beyond. Kobe Bryant can opt out of his contract after next season:

*--* G Kobe Bryant three seasons, $69.1 million F-C Pau Gasol three seasons, $49.4 million F Lamar Odom one season, $14.1 million C Andrew Bynum one season, $2.8 million G Derek Fisher two seasons, $9.7 million F Luke Walton five seasons, $26 million F Vladimir Radmanovic three seasons, $19.4 million G Jordan Farmar two seasons, $3 million *--*

*--* F Trevor Ariza one season, $3.1 million-a F-C Chris Mihm one season, $2.5 million-a G Coby Karl one season, $712,000-b G Sasha Vujacic restricted free agent F Ronny Turiaf restricted free agent F Ira Newble unrestricted free agent C DJ Mbenga unrestricted free agent *--*

(a-player option; b-team option).

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