Lakers news and rumors roundup: World Cup edition

For those of you who have been taking a (probably healthy) break from the day to day sound bites and minutiae of following the NBA, either since the end of the NBA finals or the end of the Lakers season, you may not have noticed that the World Cup in Brazil has become an unlikely news hub for information relating to the purple and gold. With Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash both well known Futbol aficionados, it is hardly surprising that the two of them would head down to Brazil to unwind after one of the tougher pairs of seasons in both of their respective Hall of Fame careers.

Kobe has been seemingly a little more interview-happy since touching down in Brazil, so let's begin with him. First, the good news, via the New York Daily News:

"Oh, yeah. I'm 100 percent," Kobe Bryant told an interviewer when asked if he'll be ready for next season. "One hundred percent."

He sounds a little less optimistic, however, in regard to the coaching situation (again via the Daily News):

"Unfortunately there are very few great coaches out there. I don't know why that is, but there are very few great coaches left in the world," Bryant said to the reporter. "We're really going to take our time and try and pick the right person."

Never one to ignore a slight, Kobe also responded (albeit measuredly) to one of the more random critics of his recent mammoth extension, United States National team Coach Jurgen Klinsmann (h/t ESPN)

"I thought it was pretty funny," Bryant said in Brazil, where he's taking in three World Cup matches. "I thought it was pretty comical, actually. I see his perspective. But the one perspective that he's missing from an ownership point of view is that you want to be part of an ownership group that is rewarding its players for what they've done, while balancing the team going forward. If you're another player in the future and you're looking at the Lakers organization, you want to be a part of an organization that takes care of its players while at the same time, planning for the future."

Kobe is obviously not an impartial analyst in this situation, but he does do a good job setting the groundwork for free agency recruiting by trumpeting the loyalty of the Lakers organization.

But lest someone think that Kobe was only down in Brazil to hold court with the media, fear not, he did actually find some time to watch and enjoy some games.

OCHOA!! Incredible #mexico #worldcup

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) June 17, 2014

Nash, either less in demand for interviews, more reluctant to give them, or both, has been a little quieter down in Brazil. One notable piece of information that has been revealed, however, was his latest "injury," via Mashable:

"A buddy of mine was just telling me: 'You've got the World Cup fever.' And yeah, I'm definitely swept up in it."

I think we all hope that one doesn't sideline Nash too long. In all seriousness, for those who enjoy listening to Nash, that whole interview is worth a read

In potentially huge Nash-related news, there has been some recent smoke on the trade front involving a discussion between the Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers that would send Nash and the 7th overall pick to Philly in exchange for one of either reigning Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams or the 10th overall pick, and Thaddeus Young.This is for now obviously just one of the surely numerous scenarios the Lakers could be considering, but keep checking back with us at Silver Screen and Roll for more news.

UPDATE

And now this #Bresbomb from past midnight last night (via Mike Bresnahan of the LA Times)

The Lakers have been in discussions to acquire Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson for the seventh pick in next week’s draft, The Times has learned.

The deal would be part of a larger three-way trade that sends Minnesota All-Star power forward Kevin Love to the Warriors. The Lakers are interested but the deal has been put on hold because of a difference in opinion within the Warriors’ organization whether or not to keep Thompson while trying to obtain Love.

This news is obviously big if there is anything to it. Stay tuned to SS&R for updates when and if they are necessary.