Training camp is two weeks away and the Los Angeles Lakers already appear ready for summer 2015.

Gone are the days of facile division titles, or the years Kobe Bryant went uncontested for scoring titles and single-handedly willed the Lakers into playoff berths. At 36-years-old, he can't give more than the body allows, as Bryant made apparent in sustaining a lateral tibial plateau fracture in his left knee months after tearing an achilles tendon.

Steve Nash is on the same, rustic boat. The 18-year veteran notched 20.9 minutes, 5.7 assists, and 6.8 points per game--his lowest marks since the 1996-97 season--while playing a career-low 15 games. He's never fully recovered from a leg fracture suffered two years ago.

New head coach Bryon Scott's job goes beyond making Los Angeles a contender. It goes beyond making them a .500 team. Scott's job is to thrust the Lakers through a rebuilding phase without uttering as much in Bryant's presence.

Xavier Henry shone in limited time at shooting guard last season. His 10 PPG and 2.7 RPG were career highs despite seeing more playing time in previous stints in New Orleans and Memphis, respectively. With Jodie Meeks headed to the Motor City and Bryant's timetable for return in question, Henry likely starts at the two-spot.

As if the Lakers don't have enough players on the mend, Henry comes into camp with a surgically repaired wrist and knee that haven't fully healed. Injuries have plagued the Kansas grad through his four-year career and the 2014-15 campaign isn't an exception.

A myriad of free agents have visited the team's practice facility in El Segundo, Ca. over the last few weeks, most notably veterans Michael Beasley, Ronnie Price and Wayne Ellington. Each would be short-term solutions to long-term problems at guard roles: Nash is on his last legs, newly acquired Jeremy Lin is near the end of a three-year contract, and the Lakers don't have proven shooters on the bench.

Former Clipper Ryan Hollins is also on the Lakers' radar. After playing second fiddle to DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin and averaging just 2.3 points and 1.5 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game last season, Hollins finds himself fielding offers from multiple clubs, not least of which is a Lakers' team who just lost their starting power forward.  

Pau Gasol signed with Chicago, leaving a glaring hole in Los Angeles' front court; one Hollins nor Carlos Boozer can completely fill.

Rajon Rondo, Marc Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Ricky Rubio are names that could see themselves in purple and gold come next fall. Nash and Lin's expiring contracts open up much-needed cap room and will allow a Rondo or Rubio to start.

Ideally, the Lakers would land Lamarcus Aldridge next summer for somewhere near $20 million a year, and would be justified. The three-time all-star set career-highs in points, rebounds, and free throw percentage. He was instrumental in leading the Trail Blazers to their first postseason appearance since 2010-11. But Portland will assuredly offer their franchise forward max money.  

The Lakers have money to spend. It's just not the right time to spend it. At this point, all they can do is play the waiting game and hope Bryant and Nash stay healthy enough to will themselves to one last playoff run.