Last season was one of the worst seasons in Los Angeles Lakers franchise history. The team finished 27-55 with a 32.9 win percentage, the second worst ever for a Lakers squad. Head Coach Mike D'Antoni eventually resigned and the team still hasn't signed a replacement head coach.

There's a lot of factors during this offseason that could make or break the upcoming Lakers season.

The biggest free agent on the open market is LeBron James. The four-time Most Valuable Player decided to opt out of his contract with the Miami Heat and his next decision is not yet known. Most likely, James will return to the Heat with a max contract offer from Team President Pat Riley. Even if James doesn't return to the Heat, he may return to the Cleveland Cavaliers or even try the Houston Rockets. The odds of James taking his talents to Los Angles are extremely unlikely.

One of the best power forwards in the league, Chris Bosh, also opted out. Bosh may return to Miami, but with James most likely getting a huge deal and Dwyane Wade expected to re-sign, Bosh may want to go elsewhere. A very possible destination for Bosh is Houston, who has reportedly offer a four-year deal worth $88 million. Why would Bosh go to the Lakers when he could go to a more stable team in the Rockets for more money?

The two most likely "big names" to end up in purple and gold are Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Love.

Anthony and Bryant have been very good friends for a while now and they keep in contact with one another. Anthony knows the Lakers have holes to fill, but he could make his legacy with the Lakers like so many all-time greats have done before him. Anthony also spends much of his offseason in Los Angeles. There's still a high chance that Anthony will return to the New York Knicks. Kevin Love is still only 25 years old and with Pau Gasol still a free agent, the Lakers need a skilled big man. Love can hit perimeter shots and dominate down low offensively. A Love-Kobe connection would be must-watch, but does Love want to play with the Lakers?

Lance Stephenson and Eric Bledsoe are also free agents that the Lakers can keep an eye on. Neither are superstars, but both would be good additions. Steve Blake, who played for the Lakers for four seasons, would also be an upgrade.

Players used to love coming to play for the Los Angeles Lakers. Lately, it looks as if other destinations are becoming more popular for players. Even Dwight Howard left after just one season with the Lakers. The Los Angeles Clippers are actually becoming a more popular team for high-profile players.

Imagine if the Lakers didn't re-sign Pau Gasol and didn't acquire LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Love, or Chris Bosh? The whole season would hang in the balance of Kobe Bryant, who is entering his 19th season. With so many big name free agents on the open market, you would think the Lakers would be near the top of many free agents list, but times have changed.