LA Lakers news and rumors revolve around the alleged plan of the team to gun for MVP Kevin Durant when he becomes a free agent in 2016. Kobe Bryant's salary, meanwhile, continues to be placed under scrutiny.

Sports Journal, which is powered by ESPN, reported more LA Lakers news and rumors when it said that the 25-year-old Kevin Durant, who has yet to hit his peak, will surely attract the the purple and gold, which is why Kobe Bryant's contract was structured to expire by that time. In that way, the team has huge flexibility to offer the reigning MVP the max contract.

"Of course, the Lakers will look to retain Bryant should he opt to return for another year, but they could re-sign him for minimal money," the website said. "However, on the other hand, if Bryant is on his way out, that could give Durant the freedom to be 'the guy' on the Lakers.

Meanwhile, columnist Peter Vecsey of the New York Post fueled the LA Lakers news and rumors surrounding Kevin Durant even further when he was interviewed on CLNS Radio.

"I say if Durant goes anywhere I look for him to go to the Lakers because they're going to have a tremendous amount of money to give him," Vecsey said per Sports Journal."Kobe will be on the way out at that point and they won't have anybody. A guy like him might want to start with the Lakers, or maybe he might want to go a team where he can win a championship."

Meanwhile, Kobe Bryant's salary is being scrutinized again as ESPN's Kevin Pelton said that it will severely limit the team from going after the best players.

"His salary hinders that opportunity, obviously. In a scenario where he took a Dirk Nowitzki-style pay cut, it's possible last summer would have played out differently. As to whether Kobe Bryant the player/teammate hinders their opportunity, I think that's tougher to argue given the stars who have gone to L.A. in the past," Pelton wrote.