Afternoon update

Still a couple of hours before free agency begins at 9 tonight. So far, there's nothing to indicate how things might go with any of the Lakers' three free agents. Spoke to Trevor Ariza's agent, David Lee, a little while ago and he's unsure what offers might be made when the negotiating period begins. He expects a call ASAP from GM Mitch Kupchak. Ariza, Lamar Odom and Shannon Brown are unrestricted free agents, free to sign with any team including the Lakers. They say they want to return; the Lakers say they want them back.

Meanwhile, there's no news on the Kobe Bryant front. Bryant can terminate his contract at 9 tonight, becoming an unrestricted free agent. The conventional wisdom is that Bryant won't opt out of of the final two seasosn of his current deal, which pays him roughly $23 million for next season and about $25 for 2010-11. He said several times earlier this month that he intends to remain with the Lakers and has no plans to play elsewhere.

Stay tuned.