Kobe Bryant agrees to 2-year Lakers extension

[2LeTTeRS]

It's official: http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=14828

------



Here goes a link from ESPNLA >>>> http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/10034589/kobe-bryant-signs-two-year-contract-extension-los-angeles-lakers


Kobe Bryant signed a two-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.

The Lakers did not announce financial terms of the deal. Bryant, who is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, will make over $30.4 million this season, the final year of his current contract with the Lakers.

The team announced the deal in a press release, saying that the signing "should ensure" that the 35-year-old Bryant finishes his storied career with the Lakers.

"This is a very happy day for Lakers fans and for the Lakers organization," general manager Mitch Kupchak said in the release. "We've said all along that our priority and hope was to have Kobe finish his career as a Laker, and this should ensure that that happens.

"To play 20 years in the NBA, and to do so with the same team, is unprecedented, and quite an accomplishment. Most importantly however, it assures us that one of the best players in the world will remain a Laker, bringing us excellent play and excitement for years to come."

[gts]

Los Angeles Lakers ‏@Lakers 14m
BREAKING: The #Lakers and @kobebryant agree to terms on a contract extension. #GoLakers pic.twitter.com/1JiXnrTJ3h

Kupchak:

[A Roc 23]

I didn't see this coming at this time. Good for both parties. It's nice to see someone stick with a franchise their whole career . . . even if they did force their way there. :lol

[bagelred]

Can't believe Kobe agreed to sign for the 2 year minimum amount. Kudos to Kobe though. Doesn't need a mega 2 year contract. He's all about winning! :cheers:






Just kidding.


Ramona Shelburne ‏@ramonashelburne 1m
Kobe Bryants contract will make him the highest paid player in the league the next two seasons


All about the Benjamins.

[gts]

Good deal, happy for the Lakers Kobe and the fanbase... so now they can stop worrying about that and get on to other business

[RoundMoundOfReb]

It was inevitable. Anybody know exactly how much he'll make?

[AirTupac]

Appears first year salary can be decreased by up to 40% via renegotiate/extend

Says only teams under cap can renegotiate. Lakers are not.

If the max decrease for Kobe is 7.5%, minimum salary next year is $28.1 million. If max decrease is 40%, minimum salary is $18.3 million.

[ALBballer]

Kobe has too much of an ego to take less than the max. Highest paid player in the league? Yep good luck with their FA Goals for 2014.

[gts]

It was inevitable. Anybody know exactly how much he'll make? about 22 per year being reported

[BlackWhiteGreen]

It was inevitable. Anybody know exactly how much he'll make?

To ensure he's the best paid player, I think he needs to be making more than $23m or so Amar'e is making. ie OVERPAY. SO MUCH OVERPAY. WOW

[2LeTTeRS]

Appears first year salary can be decreased by up to 40% via renegotiate/extend

Says only teams under cap can renegotiate. Lakers are not.

If the max decrease for Kobe is 7.5%, minimum salary next year is $28.1 million. If max decrease is 40%, minimum salary is $18.3 million.

Wait he's not being renegotiated; he's just being extended.

[AirTupac]

Kobe's two year extension will be for between $40-50M.

[chazzy]

Lol how the hell did he convince them to pay him that much without playing a single game?

[VIntageNOvel]

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q59

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BZ7hghOCYAA_WAz.jpg

[gts]

Wait he's not being renegotiated; he's just being extended.

They can renegotiate the amount on an extension

[bagelred]

Assuming this is accurate and Kobe is getting his mega dollars, this should put to rest any Melo to Lakers rumors. Because we know Melo wants to be maxed out too.

So if we assume Kobe is getting at least $30 million, and Melo would get about $23 million? That's $53 million for 2 players? And actually, I don't even think they'd have the cap space to max out Melo because of Nash's contract. Salary cap is only what? $60 million?


Dats dat.

[AirTupac]

http://distilleryimage3.ak.instagram.com/daf3fdfe55ef11e39eff12aebab46ba5_8.jpg

[HurricaneKid]

That means its 23.5M+ to get above Amare's contract for next year.

G'Night Lakers. G'night dreams of getting 3 max players. G'night Melo, LeBron. And G'night 6th title. All gone because Kobe chose money above winning.

[AirTupac]

Source: Kobe deal worth $48 million over 2 years

[fiddy]

Great news. Enough cap left to land Bron in the summer.

[christian1923]

Kobe has too much of an ego to take less than the max. Highest paid player in the league? Yep good luck with their FA Goals for 2014.
Hater

Congrats to kobe. :applause:

[AirTupac]

25+ is too much, yes Kobe deserves more but if we want a shot at the title while he's playing, it would have been better if he took 20 or less.

[Boomerang]

That means its 23.5M+ to get above Amare's contract for next year.

G'Night Lakers. G'night dreams of getting 3 max players. G'night Melo, LeBron. And G'night 6th title. All gone because Kobe chose money above winning.
Wrong. Kobe chose Loyalty.

[bagelred]

http://i40.tinypic.com/2nk0tp5.jpg


"Better Ingredients. Better Pizza. Papa Johns!"

[R.I.P.]

LOL. The Lakers are done. Kobe remaining the highest paid player in the league means at least 23-24 million per year. Not exactly the friends and family discount, if true. If Duncan had demanded that money from the Spurs they

[AirTupac]

20 seasons with the Lakers. Longest streak ever? Stockton had 19 with Utah.

[dazzer87]

Wow.....48 million for 2 years.........Thats Kome for you. Instead of taking a paycut, and using the money to get better players and win that 6 rings........Why am I not surprise..... Kome doing that raping again.......:bowdown: :bowdown:

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Sort of saddening if this means Kobe is only playing 2 more years after this one.

[ALBballer]

Dirk has publicly said he would take less next season to get another FA. AK47 passed up on $$$ for a chance at a ring. Tim Duncan took a paycut to help his team. Even Lebron took less than the max.

Kobe isn't that type of player. He will forever want to known as the man. No star will ever want to go there.

[Goldrush25]

Kobe using Jedi mind tricks on Jim Buss??:oldlol:

Horrible contract. Jerry Buss wouldn't have let this happen. That organization is hopeless as currently constructed.

Can't knock Kobe's hustle. If they're dumb enough to give it to him, by all means, take it. But I think he could've been had for half of that.

[guy]

Well thats just dumb :oldlol:

[AirTupac]

Before everyone trips out, the Lakers know what they're doing if they're giving him an extension this early.

One source says "this almost guarantees Steve Nash will meet the stretch provision, but we'll see".

Lakers still have room 1 for Max player.

[fiddy]

Dirk has publicly said he would take less next season to get another FA. AK47 passed up on $$$ for a chance at a ring. Even Lebron took less than the max.

Kobe isn't that type of player. He will forever want to known as the man. No star will ever want to go there.
So he took 10x less money and will not get a ring. :roll: :roll:

[HurricaneKid]

Wrong. Kobe chose Loyalty.

Haslem chose loyalty when he took 4/18 instead of the 3/20 that was on the table elsewhere. When someone gives you more than you are worth on the court thats not loyalty. Thats just taking the biggest pile of cash.

If he really wanted to win a 6th he takes less and gets some big names to join him. He might not make the playoffs his last three years. I think that is sad.

[fiddy]

Haslem chose loyalty when he took 4/18 instead of the 3/20 that was on the table elsewhere. When someone gives you more than you are worth on the court thats not loyalty. Thats just taking the biggest pile of cash.

If he really wanted to win a 6th he takes less and gets some big names to join him. He might not make the playoffs his last three years. I think that is sad.
:facepalm

Cant believe all the haters. Hes bringing much more than the $23m to the organization than hes been paid to.

[christian1923]

Haslem chose loyalty when he took 4/18 instead of the 3/20 that was on the table elsewhere. When someone gives you more than you are worth on the court thats not loyalty. Thats just taking the biggest pile of cash.

If he really wanted to win a 6th he takes less and gets some big names to join him. He might not make the playoffs his last three years. I think that is sad.
You think you know more about winning championships than kobe :biggums:

[AirTupac]

Lakers have no problem paying the luxury tax either...

[ALBballer]

So he took 10x less money and will not get a ring. :roll: :roll:

Ye but he has made 100 million in his career and wants a chance at a ring. Nonetheless he has a player option.

Kobe isn't about that life, and it's not even about money IMO. Kobe's ego will not let him take anything less than the max because he feels he's the best player in the league and deserves nothing less.

[Goldrush25]

Before everyone trips out, the Lakers know what they're doing

.

Nah I really don't think they do. This isn't Jerry Buss, the genius visionary. This is Jim Buss, his idiot son that has no business being in that position. I'm not even a Lakers fan but it makes me mad. I like seeing the Lakers do well because it's good for the league. This is the guy that took a pass on Phil Jackson for Pringles.

I guess it's about making money rather than winning championships right now. Because tying that much money into one (aging) player isn't going to get you there.

[Andrew Wiggins]

they're going to be giving 25 million a year for a 37/38 year old with 20 years of nba mileage and coming off a serious injury. :lol

i understand loyalty and all but :wtf:

i'm sorry, but that just seems absurd to me

[L8kersfan222]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHhuQoQSiBg :applause:

[sbw19]

Sounds fair given his stardom and accolades (though some might question that with him rehabbing a major injury at his age.) Whether or not the extension will not hamper the Lakers ability of surrounding him with enough quality players to win another title however remains to be seen.

[R.I.P.]

:facepalm

Cant believe all the haters. Hes bringing much more than the $23m to the organization than hes been paid to.

Oh he

[ALBballer]

:facepalm

Cant believe all the haters. Hes bringing much more than the $23m to the organization than hes been paid to.

It's not about if he is "worth it" the issue is the Lakers are financially strapped in adding more pieces. This isn't the EPL where the lakers can outspend everyone. The salary cap this year is at 58 million or so this year. If Kobe is paid around 20-23 million that means he is taking roughly 33% of the cap leaving the other amount to fill in other positions. Not to mention Nash's contract is still on the books for almost 10 mill next season.

The extension pretty much guarantees Kobe will not win another championship in his career.

[2LeTTeRS]

:facepalm

Cant believe all the haters. Hes bringing much more than the $23m to the organization than hes been paid to.

I don't think criticizing his decision here "hating." Kobe had 2 options a) do as Colin Cowhert suggested and take a little less which would give the team flexibility to surround him with more talent; therefore giving him his best chance to win his 6th title or b) take the most he could get; at the expense of his supporting cast.

He chose (b). Do you really think there wouldn't be any second-guessing of that decision?

[christian1923]

You guys are talking as if kobe is Steve Nash or something. The guy already has FIVE rings. Let him get his money. You gotta realize how much of a jackass you sound like saying a man should take 10 million less dollars a year. Have you lost your mind?

[guy]

they're going to be giving 25 million a year for a 37/38 year old with 20 years of nba mileage and coming off a serious injury. :lol

i understand loyalty and all but :wtf:

i'm sorry, but that just seems absurd to me

WOW I didn't really think about it enough, but you just pretty much laid out how insane this is. And you forgot to point out, they haven't seen how he's going to play coming back from injury :oldlol: Amazing.

[fiddy]

It's not about if he is "worth it" the issue is the Lakers are financially strapped in adding more pieces. This isn't the EPL where the lakers can outspend everyone. The salary cap this year is at 58 million or so this year. If Kobe is paid around 20-23 million that means he is taking roughly 33% of the cap leaving the other amount to fill in other positions. Not to mention Nash's contract is still on the books for almost 10 mill next season.

The extension pretty much guaranteed Kobe will not win another championship in his career.
Not if Nash retires by the end of the season (hopefully). It doesnt guarantee anything. Lakers can still land another max contract player + role players. Its way too early to make assumptions like that.

[2LeTTeRS]

Lakers have no problem paying the luxury tax either...

The rules of the new CBA doesn't allow a team to add but so much salary when they are below the cap. Next year they will be able to spend up to the salary cap (about $60 mil) and the season after they will only have the MLE to spend. That's it.

[PJR]

33 million in committed salary to start the 2014 summer on finished Nash and old Kobe alone. :oldlol:

[bagelred]

You guys are talking as if kobe is Steve Nash or something. The guy already has FIVE rings. Let him get his money. You gotta realize how much of a jackass you sound like saying a man should take 10 million less dollars a year. Have you lost your mind?

I have no problems with Lakers paying him, and no problems with Kobe getting paid. Kobe is worth it to Lakers franchise beyond wins and losses. I think they recognize that doing this will guarantee they won't win a championship next 2 years, but its' worth it to have Kobe on board.

HOWEVER, it isn't just Kobe...it's "achilles repaired" Kobe. It seems ridiculously dangerous to sign him before even knowing if he can play at close to his old level. That's what surprises me.

[ALBballer]

You guys are talking as if kobe is Steve Nash or something. The guy already has FIVE rings. Let him get his money. You gotta realize how much of a jackass you sound like saying a man should take 10 million less dollars a year. Have you lost your mind?

Kobe has made over $280 million in his career and he chose money and pride over the chances of getting another ring. I don't blame him but it is what it is. He's not about helping the team at his own expense.

[oh the horror]

My fellow Laker fans are delusional on this one.

This is an absolute HORRIBLE contract. We have NO idea wtf Kobe will look like when he comes back, AND he's older and with a ton of miliage on that body?


Is everyone insane? Kobe "wants to win" but eats up the majority of their cap space?

[fiddy]

Yall ****ing socialist retards should move to China and work for free. Im outta here theres not point wasting time with haters.

[VIntageNOvel]

You guys are talking as if kobe is Steve Nash or something. The guy already has FIVE rings. Let him get his money. You gotta realize how much of a jackass you sound like saying a man should take 10 million less dollars a year. Have you lost your mind?

this!

im not a hypocrite, 20 mills $ difference from my 2 last career year :coleman:
and it doenst like he would be guaranteed a ring or two either by taking 10 mills paycut

[chazzy]

They can use the stretch provision on Nash right? I'm wondering what the Lakers gameplan is. Maybe they didnt think Melo is a max player and want to save the space for 2016.. Durant? I don't know

[ALBballer]

Yall ****ing socialist retards should move to China and work for free. Im outta here theres not point wasting time with haters.

The salary cap is based on a socialist system. If this was baseball then the perception would be different.

[AirTupac]

Nah I really don't think they do. This isn't Jerry Buss, the genius visionary. This is Jim Buss, his idiot son that has no business being in that position. I'm not even a Lakers fan but it makes me mad. I like seeing the Lakers do well because it's good for the league. This is the guy that took a pass on Phil Jackson for Pringles.

I guess it's about making money rather than winning championships right now. Because tying that much money into one (aging) player isn't going to get you there.

Jim Buss isn't an idiot. If it wasn't for Stern, Jim and Mitch would have had CP3 on this team. The Lakers definitely have something planned.

[The Iron Fist]

[QUOTE=R.I.P.]LOL. The Lakers are done. Kobe remaining the highest paid player in the league means at least 23-24 million per year. Not exactly the friends and family discount, if true. If Duncan had demanded that money from the Spurs they

[Goldrush25]

You guys are talking as if kobe is Steve Nash or something. The guy already has FIVE rings. Let him get his money. You gotta realize how much of a jackass you sound like saying a man should take 10 million less dollars a year. Have you lost your mind?

You don't get it. This isn't about Kobe. This is about the Lakers poor decision-making, which has been a trend ever since Jerry Buss died. Kobe likely re-signs for half of what they offered him if they stick to their guns. Jim Buss is just an inept team president. He's supposed to be building a team for the future. He's thinking like a fan instead of like a team executive.

[R.I.P.]

You guys are talking as if kobe is Steve Nash or something. The guy already has FIVE rings. Let him get his money. You gotta realize how much of a jackass you sound like saying a man should take 10 million less dollars a year. Have you lost your mind?

Who said he should? People discussed his chances to win another championship and with 52% of the new projected cap tied to Kobe and Nash, who are currently injured and old, you are not winning another title.

[Rooster]

It's not about if he is "worth it" the issue is the Lakers are financially strapped in adding more pieces. This isn't the EPL where the lakers can outspend everyone. The salary cap this year is at 58 million or so this year. If Kobe is paid around 20-23 million that means he is taking roughly 33% of the cap leaving the other amount to fill in other positions. Not to mention Nash's contract is still on the books for almost 10 mill next season.

The extension pretty much guarantees Kobe will not win another championship in his career.

I agree with this and I am a Kobe apologist. While I am happy with Kobe staying , I felt that him making 20 mil plus kinda restrict the Lakers to reload next summer.

[2LeTTeRS]

Not if Nash retires by the end of the season (hopefully). It doesnt guarantee anything. Lakers can still land another max contract player + role players. Its way too early to make assumptions like that.

Even if Nash retires the CBA requires his contract to stay on the books unless the doctors rule he has suffered a career-ending injury.


Any money paid to a player is included in team salary, even if the player is no longer playing or has retired.

There is one exception whereby a player can continue to receive his salary, but the salary is excluded from team salary. This is when a player suffers a career-ending injury or illness. The team must waive the player, and can apply for this salary exclusion beginning:

- If the player played 10 or more games in the current season, on the one-year anniversary of the player's last game.
- If the player played fewer than 10 games in the current season, 60 days after his last game, or the one-year anniversary of his last game in the previous season, whichever is later.

[PJR]

They can use the stretch provision on Nash right? I'm wondering what the Lakers gameplan is. Maybe they didnt think Melo is a max player and want to save the space for 2016.. Durant? I don't know

Use the stretch provision on Nash so you can have 3 million in dead cap money over the next three years? Brilliant.

[AirTupac]

They can use the stretch provision on Nash right? I'm wondering what the Lakers gameplan is. Maybe they didnt think Melo is a max player and want to save the space for 2016.. Durant? I don't know

Yes they can

[AirTupac]

Use the stretch provision on Nash so you can have 3 million in dead cap money over the next three years? Brilliant.

Wouldnt you be saving 6 million a year for the duration of his contract?

[ALBballer]

Tim Duncan could have gotten a similar contract. He's a big man and played brilliantly last year and isn't coming off an injury. Instead he took 30 millions over 3 years giving the Spurs the flexibility to keep their roster intact and add other pieces.

Kobe is not that type of person.

[christian1923]

Kobe has made over $280 million in his career and he chose money and pride over the chances of getting another ring. I don't blame him but it is what it is. He's not about helping the team at his own expense.
But you're blaming him for taking money that any other man would take. Don't blame him for being a smart person. What the lakers do with their cap is there issue. Reason dirk Duncan etc took less is cause they're not going to get offered 20 million. Don't let them fool you the only reason Duncan took that deal was cause he looked washed up. No man is turning down 20 million. Don't try and make kobe sound like some egomaniac lol

[Rooster]

My fellow Laker fans are delusional on this one.

This is an absolute HORRIBLE contract. We have NO idea wtf Kobe will look like when he comes back, AND he's older and with a ton of miliage on that body?


Is everyone insane? Kobe "wants to win" but eats up the majority of their cap space?

This

If Kobe really wants to win, he would taken less. As a Laker fan I'm disappointed with this contract.

[ALBballer]

But you're blaming him for taking money that any other man would take. Don't blame him for being a smart person. What the lakers do with their cap is there issue. Reason dirk Duncan etc took less is cause they're not going to get offered 20 million. Don't let them fool you the only reason Duncan took that deal was cause he looked washed up. No man is turning down 20 million. Don't try and make kobe sound like some egomaniac lol

Kobe Bryant is coming off an injury and has yet to play a game. No one really knows what his value is at this point. Duncan is getting paid $10 million a year. He is underpaid for bigman standards.

Lakers are at fault no doubt but they are in a tough position because you can't let a player like Kobe retire somewhere else.

I don't blame Kobe for taking the money. But he sacrificed his chance of winning a championship. Let's call it for what it is.

:confusedshrug:

[AirTupac]

Kobe Bryant is coming off an injury and has yet to play a game. No one really knows what his value is at this point.

Lakers are at fault no doubt but they are in a tough position because you can't let a player like Kobe retire somewhere else.

I don't blame Kobe for taking the money. But he sacrificed his chance of winning a championship. Let's call it for what it is.

:confusedshrug:

You don't even know what the Lakers have in store... We don't even know the official details of his extension.

[brandonislegend]

As a Lakers fan I don't like this....one bit.

[gts]

Dirk has publicly said he would take less next season to get another FA. AK47 passed up on $$$ for a chance at a ring. Tim Duncan took a paycut to help his team. Even Lebron took less than the max.

Kobe isn't that type of player. He will forever want to known as the man. No star will ever want to go there.

Kobe took basically a 10 million dollar per season paycut based on his current contract

Secondly this is the Lakers they know what they're doing, they have a plan, they are well versed in the CBA, how it effects their way of doing business.

All you armchair GMs out there are cracking me up

[MisterAmazing]

Quite surprised either side would even go for this. I'd have thought Kobe would cut back even a little bit more to help out the Lakers, and I'd have thought Mitch & co. would have been more frugal considering Kobe has aged and has yet to play off that Achilles injury.

Broussard says though that the Lakers will still be able to sign a max contract player in the offseason. But it's also Broussard.

[Goldrush25]

Lakers are at fault no doubt but they are in a tough position because you can't let a player like Kobe retire somewhere else.

I don't blame Kobe for taking the money. But he sacrificed his chance of winning a championship. Let's call it for what it is.

:confusedshrug:

Kobe was never going to go anywhere else. If anything his ego wouldn't allow him to end up like MJ, on another team. Worst case scenario is they don't re-sign him and he retires next season. He wasn't ever suiting up for another team.

Lakers were bidding against themselves. Kobe hustled them big time.


Secondly this is the Lakers they know what they're doing, they have a plan, they are well versed in the CBA, how it effects their way of doing business.

People keep saying this, and it's ridiculous. The Lakers were owned by a genius, literally a GENIUS in Dr. Jerry Buss, when they were winning their championships. THAT'S who you can thank for their great moves in the past. Jim Buss is a freaking college dropout who's only where he is because of nepotism. So I guess Jerry Buss did make one bad move, which was not banning his son from working for his team.

[RichieW]

This is the difference between a me-first player like Kobe and a team-first player like Duncan.

Duncan takes a 50% salary cut and a $10m contract, Kobe needs to be the highest paid player in the league at the expense of winning.

[PJR]

Wouldnt you be saving 6 million a year for the duration of his contract?

He only has one year left after this season. Why would you want an unnecessary strain on your cap spread over three seasons? To attain a little more flexibility in 2014, in a relatively weak free agent class? :shrugs:

[The Iron Fist]

Tim Duncan could have gotten a similar contract. He's a big man and played brilliantly last year and isn't coming off an injury. Instead he took 30 millions over 3 years giving the Spurs the flexibility to keep their roster intact and add other pieces.

Kobe is not that type of person.
How many rings has he gotten since then?

[AirTupac]

Kobe took basically a 10 million dollar per season paycut based on his current contract

Secondly this is the Lakers they know what they're doing, they have a plan, they are well versed in the CBA, how it effects their way of doing business.

All you armchair GMs out there are cracking me up


This x1000. Do people really think Lakers haven't thought of all the possible scenerios? Something will happen.

[The Iron Fist]

This is the difference between a me-first player like Kobe and a team-first player like Duncan.

Duncan takes a 50% salary cut and a $10m contract, Kobe needs to be the highest paid player in the league at the expense of winning.
And when did Duncan get his last ring?

[AirTupac]

This is the difference between a me-first player like Kobe and a team-first player like Duncan.

Duncan takes a 50% salary cut and a $10m contract, Kobe needs to be the highest paid player in the league at the expense of winning.

Yeah Duncan has won so many rings lately :banana:

[xoracle55]

Kobe using Jedi mind tricks on Jim Buss??:oldlol:

Horrible contract. Jerry Buss wouldn't have let this happen. That organization is hopeless as currently constructed.

Can't knock Kobe's hustle. If they're dumb enough to give it to him, by all means, take it. But I think he could've been had for half of that.

You took the words right of my mouth!!

[Rooster]

Kobe took basically a 10 million dollar per season paycut based on his current contract

Secondly this is the Lakers they know what they're doing, they have a plan, they are well versed in the CBA, how it effects their way of doing business.

All you armchair GMs out there are cracking me up

I trust the late Jerry Buss not his son.

[brandonislegend]

The more I read this the more this deal pisses me off...seriously. He hasn't played not 1 single game since he got injured.

[ALBballer]

Kobe took basically a 10 million dollar per season paycut based on his current contract

Secondly this is the Lakers they know what they're doing, they have a plan, they are well versed in the CBA, how it effects their way of doing business.

All you armchair GMs out there are cracking me up

Well you are right we don't know the full details and I am going off the details that are out.

Also this is a basketball forum where people display their opinions. Your adhominem attack of "armchair GM" is not really relevant.

[Andrew Wiggins]

I trust the late Jerry Buss not his son.

^this

this thread is turning out to be a useful filter to tell who the real laker fans are and who the kobe fans are.

[ALBballer]

Yeah Duncan has won so many rings lately :banana:

Duncan was one miracle shot away from winning a ring last year and the Spurs will be in contention this year as well and probably until he retires.

The Lakers still need to find a PG, SF, PF (Gasol is also a FA and wants big money) C and role players. Kobe could have helped the team tremendously by taking a Duncan type of deal.

[VIntageNOvel]

while this is not the wisest choice ever, i dont blame him for it,
who in their right mind would refuse additional 20 mills,

maybe we would be suck and become playoff feeder for another 2 years,
but for now im happy i can see him playing for two more years

klay, george, and k-love in 2016:rockon:

[chazzy]

Only rationale is that the Lakers arent interested in maxing anyone out these next two years. Is Melo the only realistic option?

[AirTupac]

Duncan was one miracle shot away from winning a ring last year and the Spurs will be in contention this year as well and probably until he retires.

The Lakers still need to find a PG, SF, PF (Gasol is also a FA and wants big money) C and role players. Kobe could have helped the team tremendously by taking a Duncan type of deal.

We have role players that could potentially resign. Hill, Young, Wes, Xavier, Blake, Farmar. Blake has been doing a better job at PG than anyone we have had in recent years. It's not as bad as youre trying to make it seem. Lakers still could potentially sign a Max and a full MLE player and we don't even know if any trades will occur. What if Gasol gets moved? What if we get valuable pieces for him? People are overreacting too quickly to this.

Kobe could have taken a bigger paycut, but he took one either way (10 mill). Playing in LA is a paycut in itself because of taxes.

[Deuce Bigalow]

Kirby no, no Kirby!

[BlackVVaves]

Lakers fans trying to defend their front office by stating "they have a plan" are the same posters who have stated just how incompetent Jim Buss is. Which one is it? :oldlol:

The same front office that traded 4 draft picks for a 38 year old point guard. Mortgaging the future for the present, except the player that was supposed to raise your level of play in the present has hardly played because he was....38 years old.

As for Kobe. I don't think I've ever blatantly called him selfish, because to some extent his self-deprecating ways have resulted in sustained success. But, Kobe really showed that his brand, the business of "Kobe" is more important than the basketball of the Lakers. Cap-space MIGHT have helped this team re-tool instead of taking years and years to rebuild. But with this fact true:


Just for context: Kevin Durant/Westbrook combined make $33m.

Nash/Kobe set to make $33-34m next season.

All I can do is laugh and shake my head.

Lakers fans and Kobe stans will truly separate themselves within this topic. Just read how some posters are rationalizing this. Unreal.

[gts]

Only rationale is that the Lakers arent interested in maxing anyone out these next two years. Is Melo the only realistic option?Lakers can still max someone out next year if there's anyone available.

We still don't even know who will be available next summer. Most the players of interest would have to opt out

[ALBballer]

We have role players that could potentially resign. Hill, Young, Wes, Xavier, Blake, Farmar. Blake has been doing a better job at PG than anyone we have had in recent years. It's not as bad as youre trying to make it seem. Lakers still could potentially sign a Max and a full MLE player and we don't even know if any trades will occur. What if Gasol gets moved? What if we get valuable pieces for him? People are overreacting too quickly to this.

Kobe could have taken a bigger paycut, but he took one either way (10 mill). Playing in LA is a paycut in itself because of taxes.

You are right we don't know the full details but good luck in the FA goals for 2014.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Jim Buss is an idiot.


And when did Duncan get his last ring?

That really isn't the point. As a Lakers fan, wouldn't you want as much talent and cap space possible? Kobe's 2 year extension not only prevents that from happening, but handicaps the Lakers for ANOTHER 2 or so years.

[gts]

Lakers fans trying to defend their front office by stating "they have a plan" are the same posters who have stated just how incompetent Jim Buss is. Which one is it? :oldlol:



I said they have a plan, now go find a post of mine to back up the rest of your nonsense

[ALBballer]

Jim Buss is an idiot.



That really isn't the point. As a Lakers fan, wouldn't you want as much talent and cap space possible? Kobe's 2 year extension not only prevents that from happening, but handicaps the Lakers for ANOTHER 2 or so years.

Not only that but any sane person would take the Spurs roster over the lakers current one and potential roster in the next few years.

[VIntageNOvel]

Lakers fans trying to defend their front office by stating "they have a plan" are the same posters who have stated just how incompetent Jim Buss is. Which one is it? :oldlol:

The same front office that traded 4 draft picks for a 38 year old point guard. Mortgaging the future for the present, except the play that was supposed to raise your level of play in the present has hardly played because he was....38 years old.

As for Kobe. I don't think I've ever blatantly called him selfish, because to some extent his self-deprecating ways have resulted in sustained success. But, Kobe really showed that his brand, the business of "Kobe" is more important than the basketball of the Lakers. Cap-space MIGHT have helped this team re-tool instead of taking years and years to rebuild. But with this fact true:



All I can do is laugh and shake my head.

Lakers fans and Kobe stans will truly separate themselves within this topic. Just read how some posters are rationalizing this. Unreal.


so a great fans should be angry or jumpship or stop watching lakers game?
we try to see the silver lining here,what's wrong with that?

and like i said, the contract is not the wisest choice, but i wont blame kobe,
and i wont blame a man who's willing to spend hundreds of mills for his team either

if the lakers would be suck for another decade, so be it, i would still be a fan, this up and down is what makes it interesting

[guy]

ESPN is reporting its $48.5M. $23.5M in 2015 when he's 36 and and $25M in 2016 when he's 37.

But they have a plan. :oldlol:

[IGOTGAME]

Jim Buss is incompetent. End of story.

[Doranku]

They still have space for a max deal next summer. Why is everyone crying?

[AirTupac]

ESPN is reporting its $48.5M. $23.5M in 2015 when he's 36 and and $25M in 2016 when he's 37.

But they have a plan. :oldlol:

Wow you must know everything! :eek:

[AirTupac]

They still have space for a max deal next summer. Why is everyone crying?

Cause Kome is a ball hog and wants money and has a big ego. At least thats what I'm getting from half these posters.

[IGOTGAME]

They still have space for a max deal next summer. Why is everyone crying?

because it wasn't necessary and it was irresponsible. After Kobe comes back and realizes his limitations he would likely take less.

He may not even be a top 20 player next year after this injury. Paying him 24 million per year is absurd after this injury.

Just like saying we paid Joe Johnson 24 million but its ok because we have enough room to pay bum ass melo the max too...

oh wait..they would be playing with Mike D...lol

guess they gonna stand around and watch Steve Blake pretend to be Steve Nash. lmao

[Big Cheese]

:lol I love watching kobe fans defend this. This will greatly handicap the lakers in free agency.

[LakersDaBEst]

If yall haters havent noticed it but this year is the first time in a long tike that the Lakers didnt sell out in the stadium. Why? no kobe.

[SoCalLakersFan1]

IDK how to feel about this. I appreciate everything Kobe has done for the franchise, but this really hurts the team.

[gts]

ESPN is reporting its $48.5M. $23.5M in 2015 when he's 36 and and $25M in 2016 when he's 37.

But they have a plan. :oldlol:

He'll be 35 next season and 36 the following. It's a 2 year deal to avoid the over 36 rule

[alec613]

omg. sometimes I hate being a Laker fan.
that's not the news I wanted to see after waking up

[AirTupac]

guess they gonna stand around and watch Steve Blake pretend to be Steve Nash. lmao

Steve Blake has been doing a fantastic job then. Another 10+ assist game and he actually does a decent job staying in front of his man. lmao

[IGOTGAME]

He'll be 35 next season and 36 the following. It's a 2 year deal to avoid the over 36 rule

he will be 36 next season and 37 the following year.

[ALBballer]

Steve Blake has been doing a fantastic job then. Another 10+ assist game and he actually does a decent job staying in front of his man. lmao

It's a contract year and this is without kobe. You think Steve Blake is a long term solution?

[gts]

They still have space for a max deal next summer. Why is everyone crying?
Because a bunch of delusional fans have somehow convinced themselves Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony were going to opt out and come to the Lakers next year :lol

[AirTupac]

It's a contract year and this is without kobe. You think Steve Blake is a long term solution?

I dont know what the Lakers are thinking longterm. For all we know Lakers could pull another trade out of their ass during the middle of the season. They do their most damage this way.

Edit: It's more than just a contract season, Steve Blake was always hindered by previous systems, this one suits him the most. He looks like the Steve Blake we aimed to sign from the beginning.

[guy]

He'll be 35 next season and 36 the following. It's a 2 year deal to avoid the over 36 rule

Huh? He's 35 now. He'll be 36 when the first year of this extension starts and 37 the year after.

[Eric Cartman]

Funny thing is that most of you guys criticize Melo saying he is a chucking machine that isn't going to win a title, but then come around and say Kobe should've taken less money to bring him in and win a title :lol

Lakers are not getting any notable impact free agent so Kobe did what he could and got paid.

He has earned that money for his years of service to the Lakers organization.

[Genaro]

The way I see it is a real bad contract. As a Laker fan I always wanted Kobe to take a paycut but I knew that wasn't going to happen.
I don't see Lakers winning a ring in the next 5 years.

[IGOTGAME]

I dont know what the Lakers are thinking longterm. For all we know Lakers could pull another trade out of their ass during the middle of the season. They do their most damage this way.

Edit: It's more than just a contract season, Steve Blake was always hindered by previous systems, this one suits him the most. He looks like the Steve Blake we aimed to sign from the beginning.

this is silly. there are a ton of pgs that could look great with this roster and in this system. Jeremy Lin would be killing it now in LA. Same with Ramon Sessions. Doesn't make them good starting point guards. Doesn't mean they will be effective when there usage drops significantly.

[VIntageNOvel]

breaking news, 9erempire just join bron bandwagon

[inclinerator]

50 mill and 25m after tax

[tomtucker]

25+ is too much, yes Kobe deserves more but if we want a shot at the title while he's playing, it would have been better if he took 20 or less.

true

[AirTupac]

this is silly. there are a ton of pgs that could look great with this roster and in this system. Jeremy Lin would be killing it now in LA. Same with Ramon Sessions. Doesn't make them good starting point guards. Doesn't mean they will be effective when there usage drops significantly.

Steve Blake has been playing significantly better since Pjax left and theres a reason for it.

[alec613]

No more title hopes for the Lakers in the next few years, I guess.

It's already a bad contract, and if he can't play at a high level....:banghead:

[Mr. Jabbar]

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[IGOTGAME]

Steve Blake has been playing significantly better since Pjax left and theres a reason for it.

becauase one guy ran a system where the ball doesn't stick in Steve Blakes hands. Guess which one has a better chance of winning a title.

Any system that relies upon Steve Blake to be a main playmaker is doomed. If this is the only way his can play well then he doesn't need to start on a team with championship aspirations.

Steve Blake has been in the league a long time. We know who he is...

[Rooster]

Funny thing is that most of you guys criticize Melo saying he is a chucking machine that isn't going to win a title, but then come around and say Kobe should've taken less money to bring him in and win a title :lol

Lakers are not getting any notable impact free agent so Kobe did what he could and got paid.

He has earned that money for his years of service to the Lakers organization.

Kobe deserved the money but that contract hinders the Lakers plan to retool for next year. As a Laker fan I am not happy with the contract though I am happy Kobe staying.

[gts]

[I]Today the Lakers announced that they have extended Kobe Bryant for two seasons. Terms were not announced, but Ramona Shelburne reported that he will make $23.5 million and $25 million, respectively.

Two years is the longest extension he could have signed due to the Over-36 rule. This rule takes effect when a contract is for more than three seasons and ends after the player

[xoracle55]

Another bonehead decision by the LAkers! :rolleyes:

There goes another two years before LA can start rebuilding again. Are you kidding me? WE need more teams to challege the Heat and other top teams now! What a drag, and what a waste of another two years. At least Boston and Danny Ainge had the balls to make those moves. I love the fact though that the Lakers chose to pad Kobe's already fat wallet rather than move forward. Just lovely.:lol

What they should have done was let Bryant's contract expire, at which time the salary could be at what the market could bear, and the Lakers could then get a better deal at perhaps $10-$15M per year if they wanted to sign him for two years. That would have given significant cap relief, with room for at least one major superstar, if not two.

They could have retained Kobe for half the cost for Christ sakes..smh!

[AirTupac]

becauase one guy ran a system where the ball doesn't stick in Steve Blakes hands. Guess which one has a better chance of winning a title.

Any system that relies upon Steve Blake to be a main playmaker is doomed. If this is the only way his can play well then he doesn't need to start on a team with championship aspirations.

Steve Blake has been in the league a long time. We know who he is...

He's played well on several teams. He has a slump during the Phil era and its because pointguards aren't needed for a system such as that. Steve Blake is more useful than Steve Nash (sounds absurd but its true) and that was my main point. I never said he was our long term solution.

[IGOTGAME]

He's played well on several teams. He has a slump during the Phil era and its because pointguards aren't needed for a system such as that. Steve Blake is more useful than Steve Nash (sounds absurd but its true) and that was my main point. I never said he was our long term solution.

Steve Nash is not good. Id take 30 pgs over him.

[hawkfan]

He should have taken less money, not because he doesn't deserve it (he does, because he puts people in the seats and really he is worth 125 million per season), but due to salary cap concerns, the more he gets, the less the team has to spend on other players.

I wonder if the Lakers will still go after Carmelo Anthony. And try to keep Gasol and hope that Nash doesn't retire.

[tomtucker]

could t they just have given him 10 or 15 mil a year.........would he not have taken that ?

[PJR]

The Lakers are slowly but surely becoming the new Knicks. Jim Buss is the new James Dolan.

:applause:

[IGOTGAME]

He should have taken less money, not because he doesn't deserve it (he does, because he puts people in the seats and really he is worth 125 million per season), but due to salary cap concerns, the more he gets, the less the team has to spend on other players.

I wonder if the Lakers will still go after Carmelo Anthony. And try to keep Gasol and hope that Nash doesn't retire.

you really think Carmelo is coming to play under Mike DAntoni?

[WeGetRing2012]

Pretty much ensures that Gasol and Nash will be traded before the deadline

[BlackVVaves]

The Lakers are slowly but surely becoming the new Knicks. Jim Buss is the new James Dolan.

:applause:

Wrong. The new Knicks are....the old Knicks :oldlol:

Closely followed by their neighbors in Brooklyn.

Jim Buss is an idiot. But even he would never sign away unprotected draft pics for Eddy Curry, give Jerome James tens of millions, ect ect ect

There's only one James Dolan. At least Jim Buss has been around winning environments. The Knicks have been utter sewage since Dolan took over in 1999. Not a coincidence.

[Eric Cartman]

Pretty much ensures that Gasol and Nash will be traded before the deadline

Boston gets: Steve Nash

Lakers get: Gerald Wallace

[chazzy]

you really think Carmelo is coming to play under Mike DAntoni?
Not to mention there were reports that the Lakers had reservations about maxing out Melo. They can go for Love and/or Durant in the next couple years I guess

[WeGetRing2012]

Boston gets: Steve Nash

Lakers get: Gerald Wallace

Nash will be traded for someone on a one year contract. My best guess is his hometown Toronto for Kyle Lowry. Either that or he retires when the Lakers tell him their plans.

[hawkfan]

Boston gets: Steve Nash

Lakers get: Gerald Wallace

Next year, Nash becomes an expirer.
It will be a lot easier to trade him then.

Maybe summer 2015:

Raptors get

Steve Nash
1st round pick (top 15 protected)

Lakers get

DeMar DeRozan

[BlackVVaves]

Pretty much ensures that Gasol and Nash will be traded before the deadline

Who in their right mind is trading for Nash? He isn't even an expirer.

4 draft picks for Nash. They traded 4 draft picks, after trading a first rounder for Sessions that could have been Perry Jones III, for example.

:hammerhead:

[xoracle55]

Pretty much ensures that Gasol and Nash will be traded before the deadline

Kobetards you might as well say goodbye to Pau n Steve now!

[alec613]

The news only pisses me off.
Maybe I should stop being a diehard fan, and just be casual

[magictricked]

Who in their right mind is trading for Nash? He isn't even an expirer.

4 draft picks for Nash. They traded 4 draft picks, after trading a first rounder for Sessions that could have been Perry Jones III, for example.

:hammerhead:

You're being critical of a trade using hindsight. If Nash doesn't break his leg last year then none of his current problems arise and it's a good trade. It's only bad now because he got injured after the fact, something nobody could have predicted.

[hawkfan]

Who in their right mind is trading for Nash? He isn't even an expirer.

4 draft picks for Nash. They traded 4 draft picks, after trading a first rounder for Sessions that could have been Perry Jones III, for example.

:hammerhead:

They don't need to trade Nash now. Wait until he becomes an expirer next year, then move him.

[tomtucker]

Pretty much ensures that Gasol and Nash will be traded before the deadline
:rockon:

[IGOTGAME]

You're being critical of a trade using hindsight. If Nash doesn't break his leg last year then none of his current problems arise and it's a good trade. It's only bad now because he got injured after the fact, something nobody could have predicted.

it was stupid when it happened. it would have been dumb if he was still healthy. Anyone with any foresight saw that when the trade happened.

[alec613]

Also pretty much ensures that the Lakers will go after Melo.

Ugghh

[WeGetRing2012]

Who in their right mind is trading for Nash? He isn't even an expirer.

4 draft picks for Nash. They traded 4 draft picks, after trading a first rounder for Sessions that could have been Perry Jones III, for example.

:hammerhead:

Perry Jones has been garbo- so far. I like the role players we have now that were previous top picks (Henry #12, Johnson #4, Young #16(?),)

And I could see the Raptors trading for him because he can help fill up the stadium and he's a hometown hero. They already have Drake (another Canadian) helping to bring recognition to the team.

[MaxFly]

http://distilleryimage3.ak.instagram.com/daf3fdfe55ef11e39eff12aebab46ba5_8.jpg

What a weird table.

[WeGetRing2012]

Next year, Nash becomes an expirer.
It will be a lot easier to trade him then.

Maybe summer 2015:

Raptors get

Steve Nash
1st round pick (top 15 protected)

Lakers get

DeMar DeRozan

Lakers just need cap space right now and would only take back expiring contracts.

[hawkfan]

Lakers just need cap space right now and would only take back expiring contracts.

They are at 36 million right now with Nash for next season.
Depending on what they do with Pau and how much he gets, they will still have cap space to get another player.
Anthony is probably not going to leave New York, since he's with CAA and CAA runs the Knicks.

DeRozan would be a pretty option and he has a contract that would fit with the Lakers.

[bdreason]

That delays the rebuilding process for 2 more years. With Kobe taking up around 40% of the Lakers cap space, I don't see any possible way for this team to be contenders.

Lakers fans got their Kobe back though.

[OJ SIMPSON 2.0]

Kobe should definitely be getting paid more, kudos to him for taking a pay cut. And Kudos to the Lakers for paying their players honestly the right way instead of giving their star player a ridiculously low contract and paying them under the table like so many other teams(Heat,Rockets, Nets:facepalm ). Most classy Franchise in the NBA :applause:

[Jameerthefear]

So glad I stayed home from school today. Now I get to see Laker "fans" make a complete fool out of themselves in this thread.

[WeGetRing2012]

They are at 36 million right now with Nash for next season.
Depending on what they do with Pau and how much he gets, they will still have cap space to get another player.
Anthony is probably not going to leave New York, since he's with CAA and CAA runs the Knicks.

DeRozan would be a pretty option and he has a contract that would fit with the Lakers.

Nah. I think the front office will focus on retaining the role players we have now. And Nash and Gasol are as good as gone. So, without Nash's 9mil, if we waive Harris and Sacre that leaves us at like 25mil going into the off season. I think we get Anthony too but I see us going after a front court player like Monroe since Gasol will be gone. People forget that we can still add a player making 10mil and Monroe fits that perfectly.

[alec613]

Gonna sleep again, and hopefully when I wake up, Kobe's contract will become 3 years 48.5 million instead of 2

[b0bab0i]

Tim Duncan could have gotten a similar contract. He's a big man and played brilliantly last year and isn't coming off an injury. Instead he took 30 millions over 3 years giving the Spurs the flexibility to keep their roster intact and add other pieces.

Kobe is not that type of person.
THis!

[hawkfan]

Nah. I think the front office will focus on retaining the role players we have now. And Nash and Gasol are as good as gone. So, without Nash's 9mil, if we waive Harris and Sacre that leaves us at like 25mil going into the off season. I think we get Anthony too but I see us going after a front court player like Monroe since Gasol will be gone.

Monroe is restricted, so the Pistons can always match. And they will have Stuckey and Villanueva coming off the books, so they will have cap space to match and keep Monroe.

[Haymaker]

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q59

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BZ7hghOCYAA_WAz.jpg
Jesus! Jim Buss looks like a fvcking hillbilly. Buy some decent clothes motherfvcker! :banghead:

[Darius]

Someone needs to bookmark this thread as the incontrovertible evidence separating laker fans from Kobe fans.

This signing basically guarantees the lakers are mediocre for next 3 years. They can only barely afford one other max guy but who is going to come? There won't be sufficent talent to win.

[LEFT4DEAD]

Wow, just wow. Lakers are screwed.

[hawkfan]

The first thing Kobe should do, not only for the Lakers and their fans, but also for all of us on this board, is to take Jim Buss out and pay for a haircut.

[alec613]

Someone needs to bookmark this thread as the incontrovertible evidence separating laker fans from Kobe fans.

This signing basically guarantees the lakers are mediocre for next 3 years. They can only barely afford one other max guy but who is going to come? There won't be sufficent talent to win.

I like that Kobe will Lakers forever, but I just can't like that the Lakers organization purposely chose to be mediocre in the next few years.

[hawkfan]

Why didn't Kobe take a deal of minimum per season for 2 years?
Then when he retires, he can get a deal of 30 million per season as an announcer for the Lakers for two seasons?

[WeGetRing2012]

Monroe is restricted, so the Pistons can always match. And they will have Stuckey and Villanueva coming off the books, so they will have cap space to match and keep Monroe.

We'll see but Drummond is due for a payday soon and having Smith,Jennings,and Monroe under long term contracts can mean they lose him and cant go after free agents. For example, Deng would be perfect for the Pistons but if they sign Monroe they cant go after him. Also, their team hasn't been playing to well with 3 big men starting. I don't really see them spending 40mil on Monroe over the next 4yrs...

[tomtucker]

The first thing Kobe should do, not only for the Lakers and their fans, but also for all of us on this board, is to take Jim Buss out and pay for a haircut.
:D

[alec613]

Why didn't Kobe take a deal of minimum per season for 2 years?
Then when he retires, he can get a deal of 30 million per season as an announcer for the Lakers for two seasons?

Maybe the Lakers should've offered it first?

[hawkfan]

The Lakers have some cheap-ass tables in their conference room.

[WeGetRing2012]

Someone needs to bookmark this thread as the incontrovertible evidence separating laker fans from Kobe fans.

This signing basically guarantees the lakers are mediocre for next 3 years. They can only barely afford one other max guy but who is going to come? There won't be sufficent talent to win.

How so? People are really overreacting right now. We can still sign one max player + and a player making around 10mil & we may even end up with a lottery pick.

[Jameerthefear]

my face right now:
http://i.imgur.com/BkvoJ87.gif

[gts]

Someone needs to bookmark this thread as the incontrovertible evidence separating laker fans from Kobe fans.

This signing basically guarantees the lakers are mediocre for next 3 years. They can only barely afford one other max guy but who is going to come? There won't be sufficent talent to win.

I'm a Laker fan first and I'm fine with the signing.

[bluechox2]

2 years and 48 million...there goes the 3 superstar tandem

[Droid101]

The real winner here is Kobe's agent. Seriously, the dude talked not only Kobe into not taking less, but Mitch and Jim too.

[BlackVVaves]

Someone needs to bookmark this thread as the incontrovertible evidence separating laker fans from Kobe fans.

This signing basically guarantees the lakers are mediocre for next 3 years. They can only barely afford one other max guy but who is going to come? There won't be sufficent talent to win.

This.

WeGetRings2012, where is Nash mysteriously disappearing to this season? The only way you get rid of Nash this year is A)trade a first round draft pick along with him (dumb ass move) or B) trade away one of your cheaper, valued talents with him (dumb ass move).

Aside from that, who is trading for a 40 year old point guard in a league where point guards are the most explosive players on the court?

And, did someone mention Lowry for Nash? :wtf:

[bluechox2]

"kobe's a #1 salesman...can attract free agents..." comments end there..let me finish them... he can attract superstars to play for 10 cents on the dollar...in a million years...

[The Iron Fist]

Jim Buss is an idiot.



That really isn't the point. As a Lakers fan, wouldn't you want as much talent and cap space possible? Kobe's 2 year extension not only prevents that from happening, but handicaps the Lakers for ANOTHER 2 or so years.
Actually, it is the point. There is no sure fire way to win. Just like there are different playing styles, there are different ways front offices work. Many styles win, not just one.

[Real Men Wear Green]

You can definitely say that Bryant/Buss are wrong, but people saying Bryant chose money over winning/LA chose sentiment over winning aren't seeing the game the same way that Bryant and the Lakers do. I guarantee that they believe they can win the title.

[Goldrush25]

The real winner here is Kobe's agent. Seriously, the dude talked not only Kobe into not taking less, but Mitch and Jim too.

I just don't know why they couldn't wait and see what Kobe looks like before signing him, at the very least. What's the rush? Nobody else is looking to sign him at that number, nor is he looking to go anywhere else. They bid against themselves. Just does not make sense to me for multiple reasons.

And someone else made a good point; what if Melo doesn't want to play for D'Antoni. Who's the backup max player they think is coming to LA?

[bluechox2]

You can definitely say that Bryant/Buss are wrong, but people saying Bryant chose money over winning/LA chose sentiment over winning aren't seeing the game the same way that Bryant and the Lakers do. I guarantee that they believe they can win the title.

all offseason, espn kept spassing out their anus about melo to the lakers...so how does this affect the lakers to sign him and 12 other guys next year

[TheGreatDeraj]

You guys are over reacting. That's a fair price for what Kobe brings to the Lakers organization. To me, this speaks of Kobe's health. If Buss and Kupchuck were willing to sign this extension before he returns to the court, then he must look great and be close to a return.

This year the Lakers will be very good and could go deep in the playoffs depending on the match ups.

After this year the Lakers do have flexibility and Los Angeles will always bring in talent.

[Jameerthefear]

I just don't know why they couldn't wait and see what Kobe looks like before signing him, at the very least. What's the rush? Nobody else is looking to sign him at that number, nor is he looking to go anywhere else. They bid against themselves. Just does not make sense to me for multiple reasons.
This. The Lakers just got fooled. Any fan who is smart sees this.

[WeGetRing2012]

This.

WeGetRings2012, where is Nash mysteriously disappearing to this season? The only way you get rid of Nash this year is A)trade a first round draft pick along with him (dumb ass move) or B) trade away one of your cheaper, valued talents with him (dumb ass move).

Aside from that, who is trading for a 40 year old point guard in a league where point guards are the most explosive players on the court?

And, did someone mention Lowry for Nash? :wtf:

Nash is gone this year guaranteed!

He will either

1) Be traded (don't act there isn't one team who would take him, Mike Miller was basically crippled and he still found his way on to a team, same with Brandon Roy, Greg Oden, and Bynum; teams would be interested)

2) Forced to retire if he doesn't want to be traded.

3) Or waived via the stretch provision

[WeGetRing2012]

You guys are over reacting. That's a fair price for what Kobe brings to the Lakers organization. To me, this speaks of Kobe's health. If Buss and Kupchuck were willing to sign this extension before he returns to the court, then he must look great and be close to a return.

This year the Lakers will be very good and could go deep in the playoffs depending on the match ups.

After this year the Lakers do have flexibility and Los Angeles will always bring in talent.

No were gonna suck and miss the playoffs and hopefully end up with a high draft pick :D :D :D

[Real Men Wear Green]

all offseason, espn kept spassing out their anus about melo to the lakers...so how does this affect the lakers to sign him and 12 other guys next year
ESPN's FA speculation doesn't mean anything. LA has chosen to continue to base it all on Bryant. We probably agree that they aren't getting anywhere near a championship that way but if they're going to give Bryant 20+ a year they probably aren't banking on a new max franchise player. Although they will have some space, maybe even enough for a max guy and just no one else.

[BlackVVaves]

Nash is gone this year guaranteed!

He will either

1) Be traded (don't act there isn't one team who would take him, Mike Miller was basically crippled and he still found his way on to a team, same with Brandon Roy, Greg Oden, and Bynum; teams would be interested)

2) Forced to retire if he doesn't want to be traded.

3) Or waived via the stretch provision

All those players were signed as free agents, on their respective teams' terms, as low risk high reward transactions.

Nash is not a free agent. He is a Laker. If he's traded it will not be on his new team's terms, but his current contract. He is all risk and no reward at 40 years old, who can't defend a fold up chair, and apparently has lost host shooting stroke this year.

Stretch him and it still counts against the cap, just in smaller dosages.

He's not retiring, per his own mouth.

[gts]

ESPN's FA speculation doesn't mean anything. LA has chosen to continue to base it all on Bryant. We probably agree that they aren't getting anywhere near a championship that way but if they're going to give Bryant 20+ a year they probably aren't banking on a new max franchise player. Although they will have some space, maybe even enough for a max guy and just no one else.

They'll have enough space for a max contract and a full MLE contract.

Even if Kobe had taken a 15 million dollar pay cut instead of the 10 million cut he agreed to there really wasn't enough room for 2 max contracts..

Problem is some fans deluded themselves into thinking Kobe was going to agree to some asinine 10 million dollar a year contract and the all stars would flock to the Lakers front door...

[IncarceratedBob]

Lakers obviously know that Kobe is back to 100%+, if they waited for the league to see him back then the price would have gone WAY up. Kobe could have gotten 3 years,90+ million this summer from a team desperate to win a ring.

Lakers got a deal.

[TheGreatDeraj]

No were gonna suck and miss the playoffs and hopefully end up with a high draft pick :D :D :D

Most other situations I would agree with you, but no way is Kobe going to try to tank. I just don't see it happening. Although I would love for the Lakers to have a young wing talent whom Kobe can mentor into the next Laker great.

[secund2nun]

So Kobe remains the worst contract in the NBA :roll:

[BlackWhiteGreen]

Lakers obviously know that Kobe is back to 100%+, if they waited for the league to see him back then the price would have gone WAY up. Kobe could have gotten 3 years,90+ million this summer from a team desperate to win a ring.

Lakers got a deal.

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:


Problem is some fans deluded themselves into thinking Kobe was going to agree to some asinine 10 million dollar a year contract and the all stars would flock to the Lakers front door...

Still more likely than putting together a winning roster with Kobe earning that much. But there you go.

[DuMa]

so this confirms he is runnin and gunnin for that #1 scoring spot. Forget Championships. With D'antoni/Kobe. WE CAN GET THERE! preparre for some epic chucking for the next 2 years

[BlackVVaves]

ESPN's FA speculation doesn't mean anything. LA has chosen to continue to base it all on Bryant. We probably agree that they aren't getting anywhere near a championship that way but if they're going to give Bryant 20+ a year they probably aren't banking on a new max franchise player. Although they will have some space, maybe even enough for a max guy and just no one else.

And a 36 year old Kobe + max superstar + no bench or valued depth = mediocrity. And the worse thing to be in this NBA is in the middle, mediocre.

Haven't even seen him play this season out to see how the injury affects his game and production, but squandering 1/3 of their cap space for the next two years.

Smh.

[Jameerthefear]

Separating the Lakers fans and the Kobe stans in this thread :roll:

[LA_Showtime]

We have no shot at LeBron James anyway. The only other franchise player worth pursuing would have been Paul George; obviously he's off the market. I don't like this, but at least this move keeps the majority of the fan base happy. It ends any speculation of Kobe retiring on a different team.

[Goldrush25]

Lakers obviously know that Kobe is back to 100%+, if they waited for the league to see him back then the price would have gone WAY up. Kobe could have gotten 3 years,90+ million this summer from a team desperate to win a ring.

Lakers got a deal.

Kobe wasn't going to finish his career for another team. I think he's said as much.

Also, name a team that

A. Has the capspace to sign Kobe to this deal
B. Is willing to play luxury tax to sign Kobe
C. Would be in position to win a ring

Go ahead and name this team. I'll wait.:oldlol:

Lakers bid against themselves. No way around this fact.

[SpurrDurr]

If somehow they ll manage to get Melo, it'll be pure comedy gold.

Melo and Kobe plus a shitload of veterans/scrubs

[ispin69]

:roll:

[hawkfan]

Kobe wasn't going to finish his career for another team. I think he's said as much.

Also, name a team that

A. Has the capspace to sign Kobe to this deal
B. Is willing to play luxury tax to sign Kobe
C. Would be in position to win a ring

Go ahead and name this team. I'll wait.:oldlol:

Lakers bid against themselves. No way around this fact.

At the end, Reinsdorf and Jordan hated each other, and then Reinsdorf forced Jordan out. It gave Reinsdorf a bad reputation with players and they have had a problem getting A level free agents to go there. The only A level free agent they have landed since Jordan left is Carlos Boozer, and even then they had to overpay.

The Lakers didn't want to have a repeat of that mess.

[FPJ]

This was a lose lose situation for the Lakers. If Kobe didnt get payed, LA riots cause they "let him go" (even though i dont think he'd have gone somewhere else. They payed him and now the Lakers will suck (no chance at even dreaming at a title) for many years to come.

Only good news is for the Lakers bank accounts (and potentialy young white ladies from whereever the Lakers play) cause Kobe = $$$ no matter how old he is.

[Mr. Jabbar]

lol some lebron stans do not comprehend how kobe stays in LA when they're not the clear cut favorites to win it all, can't blame them :roll:

i also see alot of butthurt fans from teams that deep inside wished the black mamba brought his killer instinct and good looks to their hopeless franchises:lol

[TimmyDuncan]

Lakers obviously know that Kobe is back to 100%+, if they waited for the league to see him back then the price would have gone WAY up. Kobe could have gotten 3 years,90+ million this summer from a team desperate to win a ring.

Lakers got a deal.

The same way Rose came back stronger? jumping higher with better jump shot and more athletic?
All that to shoot under 40% FG

He may look great in practice, only NBA games will tell the real story

[RoseCity07]

So teams get two more years of beating up on a crippled Lakers team. They'll be decent but a non-factor. This is almost as bad as the Amare deal. I know Kobe will be more productive but that contract is just over the top.

[Soundwave]

He probably knows they're not winning anything before he retires there anyway, might as well get paid as much as possible now.

Getting prepared if Vanessa is going to take him to the cleaners and divorce him for good and take half his earnings, lol. She's threatened it before, I'm sure it is sorta in the back of his mind.

Gotta fatten that bank account just in case. Kobe's no Jordan, he probably won't be earning a ton from endorsements after his career is over.

[Eric Cartman]

Gotta be prepared if Vanessa is going to take him to the cleaners and divorce him for good and take half his earnings, lol. In then next 5-10 years you never know.

I ain't saying she a gold digger...

[red1]

lol some lebron stans do not comprehend how kobe stays in LA when they're not the clear cut favorites to win it all, can't blame them :roll:

i also see alot of butthurt fans from teams that deep inside wished the black mamba brought his killer instinct and good looks to their hopeless franchises:lol
Why are you laughing? :lol This is a HORRIBLE contract, it makes the lakers a treadmill team for at least 2-3 years

[Mr. Jabbar]

Why are you laughing? :lol This is a HORRIBLE contract, it makes the lakers a treadmill team for at least 2-3 years

honestly, there's no much to brag about in earning less than you deserve for an asterisk championship, i actually find that cheaper

[RRR3]

i also see alot of happy fans from teams that are thrilled the brick mamba didn't bring his choker instinct and bricks to their franchises:lol
fixed

[Soundwave]

Kobe keeps Staples Center full for at least another two years and keeps all those celebrities courtside. At this point that's more important to the Lakers front office.

[GOATbrook]

Lakers to get Durant after Kobe retires.

[Soundwave]

I ain't saying she a gold digger...

Well I bet Kobe has kinda thought this through in his mind too ... he's still relatively young, is he only going to be hitting one piece of ass the rest of his life?

No doubt he saw Jordan got divorced and eventually married a girl like 15 years younger, but he knows Vanessa will probably be a pit bull against him in divorce court and he doesn't have that Air Jordan brand money to bank on once the playing days are over.

Gotta get the cash now while the getting is good. :lol

[crisoner]

I love Kobe but I love the lakers more. Just a dumb move $$$ wise for us to be able to load this team with other quality players. Should of took the Duncan route.

[Heavincent]

Don't know why giving a big contract to one of the greatest players ever causes such an uproar.

[Hoopz2332]

Chris Broussard on The Herd:

"Spoke to a couple of GM's around the league, the most they were willing to give Kobe was no more than $12 million a year. Kobe basically got double that amount from the Lakers. The Lakers basically outbidded themselves."


http://cdn.niketalk.com/1/16/164d263f_ibxFWGla38dwbC.gif

[outbreak]

Chris Broussard is the worst NBA "source" ever. SO many free agency periods he throws out he is 100% sure and guarantees a deal is going down and then the next day he has the same players in another deal that he is 100% sure of. What a douche bag

[crisoner]

Maybe Kobe will play harder with the extra 12 million a year in his pocket? Freaking joke man....somebody slap the Lakers front office please.

[alec613]

What's done is done... ugghh
Now stay away from Melo please

Rather have 3 - 4 key players than have Melo + 3 or 4 over-the-hill players in vets' minimum

[Real Men Wear Green]

They'll have enough space for a max contract and a full MLE contract.

Even if Kobe had taken a 15 million dollar pay cut instead of the 10 million cut he agreed to there really wasn't enough room for 2 max contracts..

Problem is some fans deluded themselves into thinking Kobe was going to agree to some asinine 10 million dollar a year contract and the all stars would flock to the Lakers front door...
Yeah I remember those conversations.

[gts]

Maybe Kobe will play harder with the extra 12 million a year in his pocket? Freaking joke man....somebody slap the Lakers front office please.What extra 12 million?

[Soundwave]

Maybe Kobe will play harder with the extra 12 million a year in his pocket? Freaking joke man....somebody slap the Lakers front office please.

Dat financial security tho. His wife has threatened divorce twice already and while he's been able to calm her down, he knows damn well though when she's 40+ and he's still able to tap 20-something year old LA ass, that she will eventually try to take him to the cleaners out of anger.

Gotta get paid now.

No one's gonna be buying Kobe sneakers once the playing days are done.

He's smart honestly to do this. It's basically like getting the Lakers to pay for a big chunk of a potential divorce settlement if it happens 5-15 years down the line.

Kobe ain't no fool.

[Eric Cartman]

Future financial security tho son. His wife has threatened divorce twice already and he's been able to calm her down, he knows damn well though when she's 40 and he's still able to tap 20-something year old LA ass, that she will eventually try to take him to the cleaners out of anger.

Gotta get paid now.

No one's gonna be buying Kobe sneakers once the playing days are done.

Nigg'as and not getting prenups man ...

[crisoner]

Did Kobe get that "this would of been Dwight". Money?

[HurricaneKid]

You guys are over reacting. That's a fair price for what Kobe brings to the Lakers organization. To me, this speaks of Kobe's health. If Buss and Kupchuck were willing to sign this extension before he returns to the court, then he must look great and be close to a return.

Either that or Kobe knew he wasn't going to be able to get back to the level at which he is used to playing and got his extension before everyone else learned this.



This year the Lakers will be very good and could go deep in the playoffs depending on the match ups.


Good one! There are two teams in the West with a worse point differential.



After this year the Lakers do have flexibility and Los Angeles will always bring in talent.

Thats kind of the point, they gave their aging star so much money they no longer have flexibility. After giving this contract out the Lakers are saying "watch us as Kobe goes for a bunch of career records". They will not compete for a championship in the next three years and I would be shocked if they won a playoff series during that time; its a pretty disappointing way for an all time great to go out.

[crisoner]

What extra 12 million?
Replied to Brossad saying other teams would of only offered 12 mill a year.

[Heavincent]

So Chris Broussard is a reliable source now?

Okay...

[HomieWeMajor]

http://knicksgm.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/grunwald1-300x179.jpg
"We would have given you 180 million over 6 years."


http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Kobe+Bryant+NBA+Player+Association+Meet+Negotiate+ T9IojWqqz-sl.jpg
"They got white bishes in New York doe ?"

http://knicksgm.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/grunwald1-300x179.jpg
"Yes and we will be signing Zach Randolph this offseason to complement your playstyle."

http://blacksportsonline.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Kobe-Face-2.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/04/14/article-2308832-1947694F000005DC-313_638x645.jpg
"Sorry Mitch but the doctor said that I should retire so you can tear up that contract."

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/nycrazyboi718/Kobe_Knicks.jpg


http://www.barnorama.com/wp-content/images/2012/03/the-funniest-sports-gifs-of-2012/08-the-funniest-sports-gifs-of-2012.gif

[Myth]

I'm happy to see Kobe wants to continue taking up tons of caproom:rockon:

Btw, Kobe is likely going for career stat numbers at this point rather than championships. That must be his motivation for being willing to stay on a non-competitive Lakers team for 2 more years before retiring. I hope he doesn't re-injure himself.

[IncarceratedBob]

Kobe is the only top 5 player who the Lakers had a chance to have for the next two seasons. Therefore, they needed to pay what they paid. The Lakers want to win a championship, and Kobe is their best chance. 24 million a year for an 1st team All NBA, 1st team All Defense, All Star, biggest attraction in the NBA is a steal. I guarantee every NBA team if they had the cap would have given him at least 3/90+.

[SillyRabbit]

Even if Kobe comes back and plays as well as he did in 2012-2013 (which is the best case scenario), this contract is still too much.

Kobe makes way too much money from sponsorships to take a max contract when that cap money could be much better spent adding two max players in addition to Kobe along with some better role players.

Stupid move by Laker's front office, also surprised that Kobe didn't offer to take less so that he could have a shot at another championship.

[red1]

Even if Kobe comes back and plays as well as he did in 2012-2013 (which is the best case scenario), this contract is still too much.

Kobe makes way too much money from sponsorships to take a max contract when that cap money could be much better spent adding two max players in addition to Kobe along with some better role players.

Stupid move by Laker's front office, also surprised that Kobe didn't offer to take less so that he could have a shot at another championship.
This contract cemented his total at 5 rings. Zero chance he contends for a 6th now

[TheGreatDeraj]

Either that or Kobe knew he wasn't going to be able to get back to the level at which he is used to playing and got his extension before everyone else learned this.

You really think Kobe believes he can't come back and win another championship? You really think the Lakers FO payed him 40+mil and haven't talked to the doctors or seen him practice to see if he's healthy?



Good one! There are two teams in the West with a worse point differential.

First off, the Lakers were crap at the beginning of the year, besides their first game in which they played well. The were trying out different lineups and such. So, that point differential is misleading. And those stats do not include Kobe Bryant. Surely he will help with that as well.

They are probably going to play

PG: Blake - playing great looking like Steve Nash lite out there

SG: Kobe - going to have tons of space with the shooters and athletes on perimeter. Plus Gasol and Hill to get offensive rebounds off misses. Kobe put up great numbers last year and this years team looks like a much better fit

SF: Johnson - great length and can shoot the ball. If he can continue to play well he can be a great wing addition like Ariza in 09.

PF: Hill his energy will get him even more putbacks, alley oops and dunks when Kobe comes back. Rebounders are always a nice to have when you have a go to scorer like Kobe.

C: Gasol- Has been playing great. Doing work in the low and high post plus he has been rebounding well recently. Kobe and Gasol have proven success as a 1, 2 punch.

Farmar, Nick Young, Kaman, Meeks, Xavier Henry, Williams they have a nice bench too.

There offense is going to be great. If they can keep improving defensively to a be top 10 team in the league I think they can be a contender.


Thats kind of the point, they gave their aging star so much money they no longer have flexibility. After giving this contract out the Lakers are saying "watch us as Kobe goes for a bunch of career records". They will not compete for a championship in the next three years and I would be shocked if they won a playoff series during that time; its a pretty disappointing way for an all time great to go out.

You don't know that. There isn't even a heavy favorite top team in the West. OKC looks like it's basically a Durant and Westbrook two man show. The Clippers still look flawed to me. Will Curry stay healthy? what about Iggy, Lee and Bogut? Houston looks good but not unbeatable either. Spurs look like best team in the West so far, but not unbeatable.

Miami is definitely the favorites but if they go down, possibly to Indiana, then anything is possible.

As for the future the Lakers do have flexibility. Go read gts post a few pages back or go this the link he post http://cbafaq.com/blog/?p=286

The Lakers have pulled off deals in the past and so have other teams. The NBA is unpredictable especially when you have the money and the balls to make big moves like the Lakers. Did anyone see Gasol to LA back in 08? How about the Ray allen and KG moves to Boston? The Miami big three? etc. Big moves can be made unexpectedly.

[senelcoolidge]

:lol lakers are done or at least they will be irrelevant a lot longer because of this. Boy it's definitely a new era. They will miss Jerry Buss.

[Human Error]

That is a bit too much for a non top 30 player in the league and definitely decrease the Lakers' chance to build a better team. But the Lakers fans seem to be excited.

[NumberSix]

Is there a no trade clause?

[Lebron23]

Good for him.

[BlackWhiteGreen]

Is there a no trade clause?

Yeah, the wage

[Nick Young]

How great is our gawd:bowdown:

[chosen_one6]

Lol Kobe says he wants to win a championship yet still asks for a sh*tload of money...Lakers aren't going anywhere unless they somehow shaft another team via trade.

[STATUTORY]

Lol Kobe says he wants to win a championship yet still asks for a sh*tload of money...Lakers aren't going anywhere unless they somehow shaft another team via trade.

:facepalm there's no guarantee that lakers would be able to get him the complementary pieces he needs even if he took a haircut on the contract, why should kobe give up 15+ million when this FO has not proven they know what the **** they are doing anyways.

[TheMarkMadsen]

I'm happy to see Kobe wants to continue taking up tons of caproom:rockon:

Btw, Kobe is likely going for career stat numbers at this point rather than championships. That must be his motivation for being willing to stay on a non-competitive Lakers team for 2 more years before retiring. I hope he doesn't re-injure himself.


Such an idiotic statement.

You're assumptions aren't even base off logic.

Here's what I think based of this thing called logic.

A) the Lakers FO know a hell of alot more about cap space, potential free agents , and how to be a contender than any of the people typing in this thread including myself.

B) The team with 5 titles in the past 13 years didn't luck didn't luck into those, they know what they are doing, and they have never been an organization that accepts anything less than competing for titles

C) in 2005 the Lakers traded Shaq which was automatically deemed "the worst trade of all time" which turned into Lamar Odom and Gasol and 2 championships. This Lakers FO values winning > loyalty. Which is why they traded a guys coming off 3FMVPS..because they thought going a different direction would help them win.

So in conclusion, the Lakers are not going to make a move which would detract from a possible championship, they don't care if you helped them win in the past because they want to win in the future. The Lakers would not have signed Kobe before they had already mapped out the moves they plan to make in the off season. They didnt just sign him blindly not knowing how it would effect free agency...

If anything this shows the lakers already have a plan on what the roster may look like next season.. The only player guaranteed back next year is Kobe..they can match Hill & Pau w/o it affecting the cap. They can still sign a max player or close to it, and can structure the contract so that it increases in money after 2 years.

Anybody who thinks Kobe or the Lakers is content with being an average team, apparently have had their eyes closed the past 13 years

[chosen_one6]

:facepalm there's no guarantee that lakers would be able to get him the complementary pieces he needs even if he took a haircut on the contract, why should kobe give up 15+ million when this FO has not proven they know what the **** they are doing anyways.

Yea, the front office hasn't trade raped any teams in the past 20 years :coleman:

Yea, LA isn't a hot spot destination for free agents :coleman:

:roll:

[Clifton]

I love this news, because it's terrible team management by the Lakers. They could sign Melo. They could trade Kobe for... picks... or whatever. He's old. He can't be the best anymore. He's only going to get older.

And yet what is this... loyalty?

It's more than the Celtics showed for Paul Pierce...

[ILLsmak]

I'm happy to see Kobe wants to continue taking up tons of caproom:rockon:

Btw, Kobe is likely going for career stat numbers at this point rather than championships. That must be his motivation for being willing to stay on a non-competitive Lakers team for 2 more years before retiring. I hope he doesn't re-injure himself.

can't be mad at Kobe for signing that, though. I think it's good for LA, too, even though they are ****ing up for the remainder of his contract, likely. Think of all of the star players who didn't get money and retired or went somewhere else. LA is proving they will take care of their stars. The amount of money Kobe has made them and the possibility of attracting another Kobe type player is more than the losses they're going to take (pretty much regardless) having Kobe. and if they get draft picks that's even better.

-Smak

[The Iron Fist]

The amazing thing is this. When Kobe comes back, and the Lakers start climbing up the standings with Kobe leading the charge, clowns here will still say he isn't worthy of MVP.

[dazzer87]

The amazing thing is this. When Kobe comes back, and the Lakers start climbing up the standings with Kobe leading the charge, clowns here will still say he isn't worthy of MVP.
:roll: :roll: :roll:

[chosen_one6]

The amazing thing is this. When Kobe comes back, and the Lakers start climbing up the standings with Kobe leading the charge, clowns here will still say he isn't worthy of MVP.


:roll: :roll: :roll:

[longtime lurker]

Either the Lakers management don't think there are any valuable free agents in 2014 or they realize Kobe brings in way more money than they pay him(first time the Staples center wasn't sold out in a long time was this year. Wonder why?) It's funny that haters claim that nobody wants to play with Kobe then say "OMG Lakers can't win because Kobe takes up the cap!!" you can't have it both ways. Maybe management thinks they can remain competitive and pursue a big name free agent in 2016. If this team resigns key free agents and uses their capspace to take on on expiring contracts for draft picks then it's really no a bad course of action.

[All Net]

How much? Hope it isn't too much.

[BlackWhiteGreen]

How much? Hope it isn't too much.

$48m.

[TheMarkMadsen]

Either the Lakers management don't think there are any valuable free agents in 2014 or they realize Kobe brings in way more money than they pay him(first time the Staples center wasn't sold out in a long time was this year. Wonder why?) It's funny that haters claim that nobody wants to play with Kobe then say "OMG Lakers can't win because Kobe takes up the cap!!" you can't have it both ways. Maybe management thinks they can remain competitive and pursue a big name free agent in 2016. If this team resigns key free agents and uses their capspace to take on on expiring contracts for draft picks then it's really no a bad course of action.


Kobes the only player under contract for next season ( this signing confirms Nash is gone)

The Lakers will now go into free agency with Kobe as their only contracted player.. They can re sign Hill & Pau without it affecting the cap.

They will spend the money necessary to build a championship contender, with Kobe as the only player on the team he's basically free to tell the front office who he wants.

I don't know why people are acting like this kills their free agent chances, 22 million doesn't make up their whole cap. They got Kobe making 30 mil this year and Paus at like 20.. So they will the money next year to sign some impact players.

Darren Collinson/Blake/Farmar
Kobe/young
Melo
Gasol
Hill

Is still a possibility.