Kobe Contract Discussion

[Fresh360Waves]

Yes it was a bad move. We understand Kobe did a lot for the organization, but that is the past and by signing a huge extension that he signed, it is altering the future plans for the organization and tying up unnecessary cap space.

[gts1]

One of my pet peeves on this topic is when folks say Kobe is going to be upset if they don't field a squad capable of winning a title...

Gimme a break.. Kobe's been in the league 18 years, he's a really smart guy and savvy businessman, his agent is a smart guy, Kobe the Lakers and his agent all know exactly how this contract effect the Lakers cap wise.

[LApwnd]

I'm a troll from Northern California. Is it a general consensus that Kobe (or his agents/managers) had 0% idea and a $48.5M extension showed up in front of him?

Any chance that this is just Kobe's PR machine running? Is it even possible that no exchange among them on how much Kobe expected to be paid? e.g. "Nah I don't plan to be Duncan" or "Look at all the $20M players and none of them are even at my level" etc etc

Jeanie Buss herself said her, Jim, and even the other Buss kids all agreed on the numbers then brought it to him over Kobe bringing it to them. They made sure he was the highest paid guy in the league just barely over the next two years and will edge KG out all time by a bit. They did it as much for the Lakers brand as Kobes brand. Kobe without a doubt, even when this deal finished is grossly underpaid and undercompensated for what he's drew. Also they need to correct the image of all the coaching failures, the inept way they handled dealing Fish and Lamar, the in fighting, losing Dwight, wtf, and saying look how we treat our legend is the best chance they got at correcting the **** Mitch, Jeanie, and Jim fd up

F that. I would have gone with Kobe and started it out like this. Do you want that ring one more time? This is how much it's going to take...

then Kobe tells Jeanine get me this and this with the money i'm sacrificing. So what happens when FO doesn't deliver his wish list? thats just me playing devils advocate

[EArl]

it is what it is and all we can do is let it run its course. Im not really sure why we're still arguing about it. There's literally nothing we can do about it anymore. It gets to the point where you are just beating a dead horse.

[kblo247]

Yes it was a bad move. We understand Kobe did a lot for the organization, but that is the past and by signing a huge extension that he signed, it is altering the future plans for the organization and tying up unnecessary cap space.

The organization saw its rating drop, and its sell out streak be broken without Kobe ... he is the foreseeable future on and off the court as a player and asset

[MAMBAEMD]

His contract doesn't bother me that much.
It was done to keep him a Laker for life, which means a lot to this organization, and to keep fans interested and in the seats at Staples, and buying Laker gear. He may not be as effective as he once was on the court, but he will sure keep the Lakers relevant as a franchise. That makes it a brilliant business, move, although it may not seem like a great basketball move.

Also, I don't see a free agent coming in this year and making us a contender in the next 3-5 years anyway. People are making the assumption that if Kobe took $10 mill less per year, that somehow that would attract the top FAs. Well, LeBron is the only one worth spending on this year, and he isn't leaving Miami to come to LA.
I think people are reacting emotionally, and not very rationally on his contract.

[gts1]

you know you can still be a Lakers fan and not agree with every. single. thing the FO do.
.

This is true...

[Fresh360Waves]

Yes it was a bad move. We understand Kobe did a lot for the organization, but that is the past and by signing a huge extension that he signed, it is altering the future plans for the organization and tying up unnecessary cap space.

The organization saw its rating drop, and its sell out streak be broken without Kobe ... he is the foreseeable future on and off the court as a player and asset

Of course no doubt but I don't know if he should have got the contract he got. It's not like money will be an issue for him after retirement.

[tlifeset]

I appreciate all the feedback and candor, but nobody really answered any of my questions.

I contend that a team like the Bobcats (Hornets) or other small market team would have given Kobe Bryant a 4 year contract and maxed him out to increase relevance - without a doubt in my mind. Why would you not at least try?

I don't think a contending team would go to 4 years, however a team like the Bulls could have paid him almost as much if they lost out on Melo and Love ... a team that's close like Dallas or Clippers or Grizzlies or Wizards could have potentially carved out a 10-15 mill a year contract AND the chance for him to win his 6th ring, which you have to admit would have been pretty enticing for him.

The truth is when you factor the short length of the contract (2 years), the Heat approach (1 star signed, luring 2 more stars), the need for recruitment with cap space for free agents (melo's best friend) and trades (nash expiring), and that his contract expires exactly when Durant becomes available and, as some of you had mentioned, the chance to keep him as a Laker-for-Life... I'd say it's not a bad deal at all. My initial gut reaction was that it was bad... but overtime, with more analytical thought and the real possibility that you were competing against a real market this summer, it was a wise move.

Lock it.

[Speedlot]

I don't feel like it's a bad decision really. Paying Kobe like this allows the lakers to suck ass for two years and STILL sellout seats(money). Yet, there's still the chance that kobe proves everyone wrong mumbojumbo and comes back great and yeah..
Many teams would max kobe out. Without kobe last year, the lakers got a glimpse of staples center not being full.. sooo yeah.