Lakers to hold 2015 training camp in Hawaii

The Lakers will open 2015 training camp in Hawaii. ANDY HOLZMAN — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The Lakers will open 2015 training camp in Hawaii. ANDY HOLZMAN — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The Lakers have plenty of reasons to look ahead to the next season.

The Lakers (12-33) are on pace to finish their worst year in L.A. franchise history. Kobe Bryant will have surgery on Wednesday to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, an injury that will likely sideline him for the remainder of the current campaign. And there’s this: for the first time in eight years, the Lakers will hold their 2015 training camp in Hawaii.

That will include the Lakers practicing in Honolulu at the University of Hawaii and then playing two exhibition games on Oct. 4 and 6 at Stan Sheriff Center.

“Hawaii has been like a second home to the Lakers since my father first took the team there in 1988,” Lakers president Jeanie Buss said in a statement. “The love and support we’ve always received from the people in Hawaii has meant so much to us over the years, and we’re thrilled to be returning there next fall and seeing so many of our loyal fans.”

The Lakers have held training camp in Hawaii 12 times, beginning in 1988 and most recently in 2007. But the Lakers held off for a number of reasons. Former Lakers coach Phil Jackson preferred holding training camp in Los Angeles. The Lakers also had exhibition games in 2010 in both London and Barcelona.

But the Lakers were aware that holding training camp in Hawaii could provide another selling point for the storied franchise when they pursue free agents this summer.

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