Los Angeles Lakers News: Kobe Bryant Knee Visit Could Be Cause For Concern

The Los Angeles Lakers will have Kobe Bryant for only two more years at most, so the All Star guard’s annual trip to Germany to treat his ailing knee raised a little more concern this year than in the past.

Bryant has been traveling to Germany for the past few years to see Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt, one of the world’s foremost experts on knee injuries. Dr. Hans has worked on Olympic champion Usain Bolt, who called him “the best doctor in the world.”

Kobe Bryant didn’t actually have any cause for concern, and the trip was described as routine, but it is still a cause for some concern to the Los Angeles Lakers as the franchise player’s career winds to a close. The Lakers have already talked about limiting Kobe’s minutes this year in an effort to keep his body healthy.

“We know how hard he works, we know how driven he is,” Lakers coach Byron Scott told KPCC. “But I think he’s at the point too where he’s so much more mature, and he understands that he only has a few more miles left on that body, you know, maybe two, maybe three years. And I think he’s probably more acceptable to accept the fact that you can’t practice every day. There might be some games where you can’t play this game or that game. But that’s all to be determined.”

“I’m not going to sacrifice his body just to try to win a game,” Scott added.

Kobe Bryant has made a lot of sacrifices for the Los Angeles Lakers in recent months. After tearing his Achilles in April 2013, Kobe worked himself back in shape just in time to fracture his knee in December.

In an effort to make the most of the time Kobe Bryant has left, the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly taking aim at some big name free agents, including Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo. Hoops Habit reported that the Lakers have been feeling out a trade for Rondo in the hopes of turning into an immediate contender again.

At the same time, the Los Angeles Lakers appear to be planning for the inevitable day that Kobe Bryant is gone. Rumors indicate that the team is looking at Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe, who will likely hit free agency next year.

[Image via 2014hd.com]