Will Kobe opt out in 2009 for one last HUGE deal???

bstein14 · Post #1 » by **bstein14** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:28 am

If Kobe opts out next summer (2009) he will be 31 before the 2009 season starts.

As a 10 year vet, he would be eligible for a 6 year deal starting at about $23 million with 10.5% increases

It would look like this...

10-11: $23.000 mil (age 31)
11-12: $25.415 (age 32)
12-13: $27.830 (age 33)
13-14: $30.245 (age 34)
14-15: $32.660 (age 35)
15-16: $35.075 (age 36)
TOTAL 6 years about $174 million

What are your thoughts on this.... If he opts out in 2009 do you think LA will sign him to a max contract for 6 years? Maybe only 5?

I am guessing he opts out, knowing he is still young enough to cash in on one last huge max deal.

Post #2 » by **Slava** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:53 am

He'd stay in LA to win in all likelihood but if he wishes to get that big deal, NY would be waiting for him.

That Nicka · Post #3 » by **That Nicka** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:14 am

1) I dont see why he wouldnt opt out
2) I dont see why he wouldnt get a max deal

Post #4 » by **Slava** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:20 am

I'm not really knowledged of contracts but if what the OP posted is correct, 30 + mil is crazy money to be invested in one single player in today's world of guaranteed contracts and salary cap hell. Just don't see any player getting that, not Kobe not Lebron. Just doesn't happen.

bstein14 · Post #5 » by **bstein14** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:47 am

j-far wrote:I'm not really knowledged of contracts but if what the OP posted is correct, 30 + mil is crazy money to be invested in one single player in today's world of guaranteed contracts and salary cap hell. Just don't see any player getting that, not Kobe not Lebron. Just doesn't happen.

He and Jordan would be the only 2 players to make more than $30 million in a single season (NBA salary only).

bstein14 · Post #6 » by **bstein14** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:51 am

That Nicka wrote:1) I dont see why he wouldnt opt out
2) I dont see why he wouldnt get a max deal

I think its pretty clear the reason they might be weary about giving him the max is because of his age.

It's hard to give someone $67 million guaranteed at age 35 and 36.

I would guess they would try to pay him less...

Maybe $23-$25-$25-$25-$25-$25(Team Option)

I could see them living with a contract paying him a flat $25 mil per... especially if they get a team option for age 36.

But I'm not sure they'd want to give him the FULL MAX at his age.

magicbesteva · Post #7 » by **magicbesteva** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 3:41 pm

I don't think kobe would opt out. He'll lose money and the lakers would probably make a run a Lebron.

lakerholic4life · Post #8 » by **lakerholic4life** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 4:20 pm

If he does opt out I think he will take a pay cut. Especially if this team wins it all this year. He already has a ton of money,and will be making a ton more even if he only makes 15-20 million a year. This nucleus can win three or four more rings and right now I think htta is all that matters to everyone on the team.+

That Nicka · Post #9 » by **That Nicka** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 4:43 pm

Why would Kobe take a pay cut? When the Timberwolves were good did KG take a paycut so that they could stay good? hell no, KG deserved his max contract, as does Kobe... At one point it was ridiculous that Shaq and KG were making 25 mil+ but now its normal... The salary cap rises every year, at some point its going to be normal that max players are making 30 mil... Kobe may not get increases his entire salary but I can definitely see something like:

10-11: $23.000 mil (age 31)
11-12: $25.415 (age 32)
12-13: $27.830 (age 33)
13-14: $30.245 (age 34)
14-15: $27.830 (age 35)
15-16: $25.415 (age 36)

Or something to that effect

lakerfan10770 · Post #10 » by **lakerfan10770** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:09 pm

If Kobe was to exercise his ETO next summer then the maximum he could get would be:

09-10 - $22,325,625
10-11 - $24,669,816
11-12 - $27,014,007
12-13 - $29,358,198
13-14 - $31,702,389
14-15 - $34,046,580
Total - $169,116,615

(Multiply his 08-09 salary of $21,262,500 by 105% to get his maximum starting salary and then add the 10.5% raises.)

lakerfan10770 · Post #11 » by **lakerfan10770** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:24 pm

That Nicka wrote:Why would Kobe take a pay cut? When the Timberwolves were good did KG take a paycut so that they could stay good? hell no, KG deserved his max contract, as does Kobe... At one point it was ridiculous that Shaq and KG were making 25 mil+ but now its normal... The salary cap rises every year, at some point its going to be normal that max players are making 30 mil... Kobe may not get increases his entire salary but I can definitely see something like:

10-11: $23.000 mil (age 31)
11-12: $25.415 (age 32)
12-13: $27.830 (age 33)
13-14: $30.245 (age 34)
14-15: $27.830 (age 35)
15-16: $25.415 (age 36)

Or something to that effect

I would certainly not say that 25-30 million is the norm for maximum contracts, in fact not a single player in the NBA will make more than $25 million next season.

Here is a list of the 15 highest paid players for next season:

Edit: Also, I am pretty sure that KG did take a pretty hefty paycut when he signed his current contract. I do not have the exact numbers but I think he was making well over $20M the season prior to his current contract, which started at $16M, with $1M raises.

lakerholic4life · Post #12 » by **lakerholic4life** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:39 pm

That Nicka wrote:Why would Kobe take a pay cut? When the Timberwolves were good did KG take a paycut so that they could stay good? hell no, KG deserved his max contract, as does Kobe... At one point it was ridiculous that Shaq and KG were making 25 mil+ but now its normal... The salary cap rises every year, at some point its going to be normal that max players are making 30 mil... Kobe may not get increases his entire salary but I can definitely see something like:

10-11: $23.000 mil (age 31)
11-12: $25.415 (age 32)
12-13: $27.830 (age 33)
13-14: $30.245 (age 34)
14-15: $27.830 (age 35)
15-16: $25.415 (age 36)

Or something to that effect

For the good of the team. Kobe wants to win,and if putting the lakers in a better position to put better talent around him,then I think kobe will do it.

Sedale Threatt · Post #13 » by **Sedale Threatt** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:46 pm

For his sake, I hope so. I'd hate to see an athlete of his caliber being forced to scrimp by on only $15 or 20 million a year.

Post #14 » by **LLcoleJ** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:55 pm

When is the new CBA coming into effect? 2010?

KB20 · Post #15 » by **KB20** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 7:24 pm

I see Kobe taking a paycut for the better of the team. Winning is much more important to him. Besides, by then, he'll already have made well over $150 million in his career and will likely head over $200 million.

Post #16 » by **milesfides** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:05 pm

Kobe isn't going to opt out just to make more money. As if it isn't obvious already, the guy wants to win above all else.

I'm a little worried about the Celtics though. What to do with Ray Allen in two years when he's 34 but at the tail end of a 20m a year contract? Or Paul Pierce, who's a year older than Kobe but almost makes as much money as Kobe? Or KG when he's making 21million and 36 years old?

Luckily the Lakers are young, including Kobe. And even if Bynum gets the max, his contract starts at around 14m.

But if there is a guy who deserves the money, it's Kobe. Kobe's been pretty damn profitable for Buss, even when the team sucked. The Lakers were cutting salary while Kobe was playing his heart out and filling Buss's pockets. And nobody works harder, and he's the best player in the league in his prime. If he gets overpaid at the end of his career, well, welcome to the club - that's how it always works.

Paying 15m for Brian Grant is overpaying. Paying 16m for Jalen Rose and Mike Finley is overpaying. Paying 19m for Chris Webber is overpaying. Paying 20+ mil for Stephon Marbury and Allan Houston is overpaying. Paying 30m for one of the greatest to ever have played this game who gave his entire career to the Lakers isn't overpaying.

But again, I wouldn't put it past Kobe to renegotiate a lower contract. Players who want to win tend to see money as a secondary issue.

TonyMontana · Post #17 » by **TonyMontana** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:12 pm

milesfides wrote:Kobe isn't going to opt out just to make more money. As if it isn't obvious already, the guy wants to win above all else.

I'm a little worried about the Celtics though. What to do with Ray Allen in two years when he's 34 but at the tail end of a 20m a year contract? Or Paul Pierce, who's a year older than Kobe but almost makes as much money as Kobe? Or KG when he's making 21million and 36 years old?

Luckily the Lakers are young, including Kobe. And even if Bynum gets the max, his contract starts at around 14m.

But if there is a guy who deserves the money, it's Kobe. Kobe's been pretty damn profitable for Buss, even when the team sucked. The Lakers were cutting salary while Kobe was playing his heart out and filling Buss's pockets. And nobody works harder, and he's the best player in the league in his prime. If he gets overpaid at the end of his career, well, welcome to the club - that's how it always works.

Paying 15m for Brian Grant is overpaying. Paying 16m for Jalen Rose and Mike Finley is overpaying. Paying 19m for Chris Webber is overpaying. Paying 20+ mil for Stephon Marbury and Allan Houston is overpaying. Paying 30m for one of the greatest to ever have played this game who gave his entire career to the Lakers isn't overpaying.

But again, I wouldn't put it past Kobe to renegotiate a lower contract. Players who want to win tend to see money as a secondary issue.

I agree Mang

Tommy Trojan · Post #18 » by **Tommy Trojan** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:25 pm

TonyMontana wrote:

I agree Mang[/quote]

You Tony what up big dawg!!!

Yeah Kobe is not going anywhere, he is a LAKER for life... count on that baby

Post #19 » by **kno** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:54 pm

Sedale Threatt wrote:For his sake, I hope so. I'd hate to see an athlete of his caliber being forced to scrimp by on only $15 or 20 million a year.

CITYOFANGELSX3 · Post #20 » by **CITYOFANGELSX3** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:11 pm

No one is questioning whether kobe will leave. Its if he'll opt out to get another 7 year max deal. I dont see him taking a pay cut. Because he was on the loose cannons during the season they asked him that very question. He said that wasnt his job, and thats mitch's job to figure out how the salary's work. So i think he'll opt out to get that max deal.