Bryant signs ext w/LA, $48 million over two years

[Fafnir]

Bynum is done, I can't imagine with what he's shown they'll be giving him the second chunk of money for this year. If they do it'll be an even bigger gamble than the first bit.

Crazy he went from being an all-nba type C to a shell in one off season.

[D.o.s.]

I can imagine Bryant giving the Lakers an ultimatum that they must keep him as the highest-paid player in the league or he will take a massive pay cut out of spite and leave money on the table to sign with whatever team hurts the Lakers the most. (the Clippers or Celtics?)

Gotta be the Clippers, but I can't see Kobe actually leaving the Lakers.

[Moranis]

Talk about bidding against yourself.

Yeah.  What other team would have made an offer within 30% of that?

I think a good number of teams would pay him that, but most of them wouldn't have the cap space to do it.

Minnesota and Cleveland, for example, would be teams that would make sense to pay Kobe that kind of money.  He would draw huge interest in the team from the fan base, media, etc. (thus leading to tons of dollars for the owner) and they are close enough to title contention that Kobe might actually put them over the top (both of them could also use a pure scorer).

I don't think any team would pay him that except the Nets. Too much money for an older injured player, especially given the luxury tax and salary cap implications of such a huge deal.

The thing is, Kobe would mean so many dollars to the owner from merchandise, ticket sales, etc. that he would be worth it, especially for a team like Cleveland which will be well below the cap entering next summer (and thus might not even go into tax range to sign him).  Kobe is also the type of player Cleveland needs.  Now obviously Cleveland wouldn't be 24 million under the cap to pay Kobe that kind of money, but they could have tried to work out a trade as they have a lot of young guys under contract they could have sent to L.A. (you know something like Varejao, Jack, and Bennett for Kobe).

So it'd be Kryie + Kobe and a bunch of replacement level guys?

I'm sure that lottery squad would make Gilbert a ton of money.

Thompson has been pretty solid (11.5/9.5 this year) and is still getting better every year.  Varejao is an excellent glue type player.  I think if you have Waiters, Jack, Miles, and Gee in more complimentary roles their efficiency will improve greatly (they have nice shooting touches, they are just shooting way too much).  Bennett is a very raw but athletic rookie.  Zeller is a solid rotational big man.  You add a #1 scorer to that team, you shift everyone else back into the roles they should be in and the whole play of the Cavs improves a great deal.  There is a lot of talent on the Cavs, they just need that #1 guy to put everyone else where they need to be. 

[kraidstar]

what an abysmal move for the lakers, this will handicap them financially for 2 more years. jim buss is the west-coast jimmy dolan. just awful, this move is clearly meant to curry favor with the fans, jimmy wants to do something right SO BADLY. what a clown.

[BballTim]

Talk about bidding against yourself.

Yeah.  What other team would have made an offer within 30% of that?

I think a good number of teams would pay him that, but most of them wouldn't have the cap space to do it.

Minnesota and Cleveland, for example, would be teams that would make sense to pay Kobe that kind of money.  He would draw huge interest in the team from the fan base, media, etc. (thus leading to tons of dollars for the owner) and they are close enough to title contention that Kobe might actually put them over the top (both of them could also use a pure scorer).

I don't think any team would pay him that except the Nets. Too much money for an older injured player, especially given the luxury tax and salary cap implications of such a huge deal.

The thing is, Kobe would mean so many dollars to the owner from merchandise, ticket sales, etc. that he would be worth it, especially for a team like Cleveland which will be well below the cap entering next summer (and thus might not even go into tax range to sign him).  Kobe is also the type of player Cleveland needs.  Now obviously Cleveland wouldn't be 24 million under the cap to pay Kobe that kind of money, but they could have tried to work out a trade as they have a lot of young guys under contract they could have sent to L.A. (you know something like Varejao, Jack, and Bennett for Kobe).

  Cleveland's won, what, 24 or so games last year? They're on a pace to do the same this year. LeBron might be able to make them contenders (not necessarily favorites) but Kobe isn't that level of player anymore.

[rondohondo]

.

Makes me love danny that much more , stupid lakers. Haha

[BudweiserCeltic]

Well, there goes the Lakers' plan to get better by signing Kobe Bryant to a veteran minimum deal next year...

O.o

Can't believe some of the Lakers fans/media thought that was a remote possibility.

[manl_lui]

Well, there goes the Lakers' plan to get better by signing Kobe Bryant to a veteran minimum deal next year...

O.o

Can't believe some of the Lakers fans/media thought that was a remote possibility.

looks like no Lebron, or Melo

[SHAQATTACK]

Kobe draws good crowd and sells seats and hoodies and all,kinds of Laker garbage....so he is still worth a lot to the club.

Rebuilding wise he is going to kill the Lakers .   Lakers still need Gasol , wether thy like it or not...........

I hope they trade Gasol Nd sign Carmelo....that would just about sink them for a good while .    To ball hogs on the same team .....I hope it one true .

[aporel#18]

Kobe draws good crowd and sells seats and hoodies and all,kinds of Laker garbage....so he is still worth a lot to the club.

Rebuilding wise he is going to kill the Lakers .   Lakers still need Gasol , wether thy like it or not...........

I hope they trade Gasol Nd sign Carmelo....that would just about sink them for a good while .    To ball hogs on the same team .....I hope it one true .

Perfect plan... TP 

[SHAQATTACK]

Kobe draws good crowd and sells seats and hoodies and all,kinds of Laker garbage....so he is still worth a lot to the club.

Rebuilding wise he is going to kill the Lakers .   Lakers still need Gasol , wether thy like it or not...........

I hope they trade Gasol Nd sign Carmelo....that would just about sink them for a good while .    To ball hogs on the same team .....I hope it one true .

Perfect plan... TP 

Over on the hardcore b ball forum .....Kobe is. Thief

Laker fans that understand basketball  and care about winning are not happy ......Kobe took them to the cleaners .......now your average Kobe fan who go just to see the stars will be happy......so will the T shirt sellers ......NBA  store .........Kobe staying   A laker is about making money for the owner and everybody else ....not more Banners....

[D.o.s.]

On the plus side, this means we can finally kill off the idea that Carmelo was ever going to end up on the Lakers.

[Celtics4ever]

Talk about a bad investment, his rehab must be going well.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

There goes the "we can get two max guys to play with Kobe" idea.

Lakers are not even sure what Kobe Bryant they will get. I guess Kobe and and not the Lakers are calling the shots? Either way, that cap room they are bragging just got a little less spacious.

[SCeltic34]

Talk about a bad investment, his rehab must be going well.

For sure.  Must be looking good in practice.

From a Laker-hating standpoint, today is a good day.  Almost as good as the day as they hired Mike Brown.  And then D'antoni.