This season is lost, so lets just be LOGICAL while looking forward
2015/2016 Next year, Kobe is in his final year. We will have over 20 million in cap space and, given our current record, possibly a top 5 draft pick. We will have Randle back, this years lottery pick.
That season can go two ways. Good or bad. If it goes good, it means we drafted great guys and drafted someone good in free agency. It also means Kobe played well, maybe he goes out on a high note.
If it goes bad, it means we probably didn't get someone good in free agency, meaning we probably didn't lock up that much cash for the future (we signed someone like Hill to a short contract just to fill the salary cap).
It also means we have Randle, our potential top 5 pick from the years' draft and Kobe's contract is up. We're looking at two good picks and possibly around 45 million in cap space. Enough for two max guys, maybe three.
AND, if the future cap is raised by a ton like everyone is projecting, we could basically look at a free agency where we can sign three max players to new, big contracts. And we all know athletes love big contracts.