BRYANT: IT'S TIME TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO - The offseason began a month too soon for Kobe Bryant, but his summer agenda already is full. He will train as hard as ever, starting Monday. He will represent his country in the Olympic qualifying tournament in August.

And he will keep a close eye on the Lakers' every move between now and training camp.

In the wake of last week's playoff collapse, team officials are vowing to upgrade the roster and restore the Lakers to an elite level. If they don't, the consequences could be more dire than simply failing to win a championship.

In the worst-case scenario, it could mean losing Bryant, too.

The Lakers' 24-year-old star plans to explore free agency - probably in 2004, via an opt-out clause, or at the latest in 2005, when his contract expires.

And Bryant confirmed Saturday what friends have said all along: He wants to see significant improvements before he decides to re-sign with the Lakers.

``Yeah, I think they know that. I think they know that,'' Bryant said. ``Absolutely.''

Asked specifically whether the Lakers' moves will impact his decisions as a free agent, Bryant repeated, ``Absolutely.''

A year ago, the Lakers offered Bryant a three-year, $54.8 million contract extension, but he declined to sign it. There are financial incentives to becoming a free agent, including potential changes to the NBA's labor deal. But Bryant has been concerned for some time about the Lakers' dwindling talent, which caught up to them this season.

The Lakers won just 50 games, their lowest total in eight years, and finished fifth in the West. They clearly were outmanned in their conference semifinals loss to the San Antonio Spurs. In talent and depth, they have also slipped behind Sacramento and Dallas.

``But it's not that huge of a gap,'' Bryant said.

General manager Mitch Kupchak and coach Phil Jackson spent four hours Saturday meeting with players in a series of exit interviews. Shaquille O'Neal, Samaki Walker and Brian Shaw were the only no-shows. Shaw has rescheduled his session.

When Bryant had his turn, he used the time to discuss the Lakers' weaknesses.

``Mitch, Phil and I talked about it a little bit, as far as what this team needs,'' he said. ``We obviously need to get a little more athletic. Our competitors have made so many adjustments over the last three years to challenge us and to dethrone us. So now it's on us to make similar adjustments. I'm sure Mitch and Phil and the crew will do that. ... I'll leave it up to those guys. They ask me my opinions, I give it to them. Just let it unfold.''

Officials are ready to part with free agents Shaw, Walker and Tracy Murray. They might re-sign Mark Madsen and would like to keep Robert Horry, though possibly with a pay cut.

Bryant gave Horry a vote of confidence, and Jackson later added, ``Robert can still help this team.''

Privately, the Lakers are worried that Rick Fox, who underwent foot surgery last week, might not be able to play until December at the earliest. Jackson advised Devean George he should be ready to assume the starting role next season.

But the Lakers need to replenish the bench in any case. As Jackson pointed out, Fox, Horry and Derek Fisher were reserves on their first championship team, in 2000. They became starters through roster attrition, and the bench grew thin.

``We know we need eight or nine solid players, which we didn't have this year,'' Jackson said. ``What we need is some talent that will come in and do some things for us that will help us get back to what I consider a really respectable defensive team.''

Change is coming, and for the first time, even the Lakers' nucleus - including Fox, Horry and Fisher - is not secure.

``I think we're all realistic about that,'' Fisher said. ``We've been together for the better part of seven years. And in this business, that doesn't happen very often. Whatever takes place or has to take place, if we aren't all on the same team again, obviously we'd all be disappointed that we don't have the opportunity to work together.

``We've all grown to love and respect each other. It would be difficult. We don't like change. But it's a part of the business.''

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``Mitch, Phil and I talked about it a little bit, as far as what this team needs. I'll leave it up to those guys. They ask me my opinions, I give it to them.

- Kobe Bryant

after meeting Saturday with GM Mitch Kupchak and coach Phil Jackson