The Los Angeles Lakers received both good and bad news on Monday when the team announced what was going to happen with Kobe Bryant. He will require surgery on his torn rotator cuff, which will cause him to miss the rest of the season. However, there is already cause for optimism in Laker Land.

Spurs Run Of Success Drawing To A Close?

Kobe apparently has already decided that he will definitely return for next season because he does not want to end his career on the sour note that is the 2014-15 season in Los Angeles.

Next season is the final year on Kobe's contract, and there is rampant speculation that he may decide to call it a career rather than signing an extension with Los Angeles. Regardless of what he decides in the summer of 2016, Lakers fans can breathe a sigh of relief and know that their team's leader is returning for at least one more shot at a title.

Kobe's Injury Good For Los Angeles?

Kobe also will do everything he can to make next season more palatable than this one. Not only with 2014 first round draft pick Julius Randle be healthy and back on the court, but - if Kobe gets his way - some big name players may join the team this offseason.

There are several big-name free agents that could be available this offseason, including Rajon Rondo, LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre Jordan, Rudy Gay, and Marc Gasol. If the Lakers manage to sign one of them and wisely spend their 2015 draft pick (which will likely be a high choice), then they could easily find themselves in contention for a playoff spot next season.