Lakers Under Belief Kobe Won't Sign Another Deal After Two-Year Extension

Post #1 » by **RealGM Wiretap** » Mon Dec 8, 2014 5:39 pm

The Los Angeles Lakers are under the belief that Kobe Bryant almost certainly will not sign another contract once his current two-year extension is over.

"All indications are, to me, from him, that this (two-year contract) is going to be it," Mitch Kupchak said. "If somebody's thinking of buying a ticket three years from now to see Kobe play, I would not do that. Don't wait. Do it this year."

Bryant has reportedly left open the possibility of signing another deal in 2016. He is nearing Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring leaders.

"When he does pass it," Kupchak said, "it's a testimony to consistency and playing at a high level for a long time. I think that's nice, but I think we all know that he would trade that for a team that competes for the playoffs or a championship."

Via David Aldridge/NBA.com

GaaBaaBoo · Post #2 » by **GaaBaaBoo** » Mon Dec 8, 2014 5:42 pm

That sounds right

olive_triangurl · Post #3 » by **olive_triangurl** » Mon Dec 8, 2014 6:00 pm

Some good honest quotes by Kupchak.

Bravenewworld · Post #4 » by **Bravenewworld** » Mon Dec 8, 2014 8:51 pm

Offer him 25 mill a year again and see how wrong that "belief" is.

TheBallDoLie · Post #5 » by **TheBallDoLie** » Mon Dec 8, 2014 9:47 pm

Outside of the Lakers building a contending team in two years, this sounds about right.

Pickled Prunes · Post #6 » by **Pickled Prunes** » Mon Dec 8, 2014 10:26 pm

I'm sure he would like another scoring title. He's a 1/4 of the way there although Durant will almost certainly pick up his scoring.

I'm guessing if he's healthy and is approaching Kareem for total points scored he will continue to lace-em-up. He's too competitive to walk away from that.

Pickled Prunes · Post #7 » by **Pickled Prunes** » Mon Dec 8, 2014 10:28 pm

Way to push them tickets, Kupchak!

Seymour KButter · Post #8 » by **Seymour KButter** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 1:05 am

Bravenewworld wrote:Offer him 25 mill a year again and see how wrong that "belief" is.

I was gonna say : Lakers 'under belief' OR Lakers 'hoping to God' Kobe won't sign another......

Mamba Venom · Post #9 » by **Mamba Venom** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 1:16 am

Its crazy how good Kobe looks at 36. A lot of all-time greats were done by then. Its crazy to think Kobe could play this contract after the 2 injuries and wear and tear of 19 seasons + a lot of play-off games. 2 Olympics.

thinktellectual · Post #10 » by **thinktellectual** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 1:25 am

Bravenewworld wrote:Offer him 25 mill a year again and see how wrong that "belief" is.

Kupchak makes it sound like Kobe's the one signing on the contracts on behalf of the Lakers, too.
Like if Kobe wants a new contract the Lakers couldn't say "NO".
I hope Kobe's healthy and asks for another 2 years and 40 mil.

I hope this was Kupchak's way of trying to let Kobe know the Lakers don't want him to keep playing.
Which would all but guarantee Kobe wanting another contract.

I'd love to see the Lakers refuse to give him a contract, then Kobe bitching and whining to the media, followed by the media backing Kobe and the Lakers relenting and giving him another ridiculous contract, and then Kobe complaining about not having a good enough team to compete.

The potential for comedy is off the charts here.

Shem · Post #11 » by **Shem** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 2:05 am

Kupchak is speaking based on what he hopes happens. Unfortunately he may have spoke too soon.

inquisitive · Post #12 » by **inquisitive** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 5:00 am

riding off into the sunset....not if they give him 24mil again...nope.

KingTdot · Post #13 » by **KingTdot** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 5:10 am

isn't he going to retire? lmao.

Ballerhogger · Post #14 » by **Ballerhogger** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 5:32 am

Pickled Prunes wrote:Way to push them tickets, Kupchak!

sn29 · Post #15 » by **sn29** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 5:53 am

They are HOPING kobe won't sign because they know if he says he''ll continue to play, they'll be shelling out another 2$+ million lol

2thehoopand1 · Post #16 » by **2thehoopand1** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 7:00 am

Good
No actually I want him to take hostage of the Lakers for a couple more seasons

wizfactor94 · Post #17 » by **wizfactor94** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 8:54 am

Mamba Venom wrote:Its crazy how good Kobe looks at 36. A lot of all-time greats were done by then. Its crazy to think Kobe could play this contract after the 2 injuries and wear and tear of 19 seasons + a lot of play-off games. 2 Olympics.

Dude.....he is trash.....he just takes every shot. Only reason why it seems like he is good.

For 36 he is pretty damn good. Although the reality is , he is a bad team player now.

bullsaficianado · Post #18 » by **bullsaficianado** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 12:57 pm

The Lakers should just buy him out and let him sign with a contender this year of his choice for the vet minimum. Unless he wants to put up with the losing in LA till his contract runs out. That won't happen though, but it's time to move on and Kobe get's to compete for another championship instead of being on a bad team losing with the Lakers. As long as he goes out with class, the fans will still love him in LA. That contract was a mistake, Lakers should be in full rebuild mode instead of teasing the fans wth Kobe still on the roster. They won't do a buy out though as he is still selling tickets for them just being on the roster, he will have to force a buy out which he won't do. So more losing in LA for him.

All I can say is if the Bulls still had MJ on the roster when they were losing in the early 2000's, it would be painful for me to watch I'd want him to be able to compete for an NBA title, not just lose game after game.

BigLos2010 · Post #19 » by **BigLos2010** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 1:27 pm

Right now, Kobe is 6157 points behind Kareem Abdul Jabaar for the NBA's all-time scoring record. Assuming he stays reasonably healthy, and he scores at the same clip as he is right now, he would be at about 35,780 points for his career. That puts him roughly two years away from surpassing Kareem, and he'd be roughly 39 years old.

I think he signs one more two-year contract after this one expires.

olive_triangurl · Post #20 » by **olive_triangurl** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 3:10 pm

Mamba Venom wrote:Its crazy how good Kobe looks at 36. A lot of all-time greats were done by then. Its crazy to think Kobe could play this contract after the 2 injuries and wear and tear of 19 seasons + a lot of play-off games. 2 Olympics.

Kobe is shooting at .389 from the field, and .273 from downtown.
His next worst fg% was back in 1996-97 (.417).
We are witnessing the absolute worst case scenario, apart from Kobe re-injuring himself.