Question : on Kobe's contract

[b shaw20]

Is it possible for a player such as Kobe for example - who has a year(s) left under contract, to willingly opt out of it and resign for less money to allow for additional cap space?

The one question Mitch should be asking Kobe is whether he will take a significant pay cut to give FO more flexibility in building the team. Ultimately, if he is not willing to say that now it will be highly unlikely we will be able to match the Heat in talent. Its clear EVERYONE that has already had their pay day has to make the sacrifice financially if they want a legitimate shot at a chip.

Its part of the price (no pun) you have to pay under the new CBA.

If I were kobe, I'd say that I would take a 50% paycut to D12 and challenge him to take 75% of the max contract and see IF he really wants to sacrifice to win championships. Until Kobe agrees to sacrifice, we ain't going anywhere.

#countonkobediscount

[b shaw20]

Bron did, Wade did, Ray Allen did, Dirk is saying he will....

Kobe?

[stunnar0b]

Na Kobe's earned every penny he's making now it wouldn't be right for him to give any of that back. But I'll tell you what come the season after next he better be ready to take a 20 million dollar pay cut.

[b shaw20]

Na Kobe's earned every penny he's making now it wouldn't be right for him to give any of that back. But I'll tell you what come the season after next he better be ready to take a 20 million dollar pay cut.

Well, the thing is that if really is committed to our team and wants to win a ring or 2 on his way out he HAS to say that now. If he wants to retire a Laker he has to be willing to take a paycut for a couple of years but he also has to be willing to eat less than his current lion's share when it comes to carrying the offense.

I believe he skirted the question when it was asked if he would play beyond this contract. For planning purposes, Mitch has to know sooner rather than later. I know there are many unknowns due to his current injury, but I would ask the questions (assuming you get back to 90%),: how long do you intend to go and are you willing to take a lessor role?

[LLcoleJ]

Kobe doesn't have an opt out.

[b shaw20]

Kobe doesn't have an opt out.

thats what I was looking for, thanks Phil.

There should be an option that IF both player and team agree, could be excersized to give the team flexibility. Oh well, not like Kobe would do it. Dunno..

[LateRoundFlyer]

A couple things:

Is it possible for a player such as Kobe for example - who has a year(s) left under contract, to willingly opt out of it and resign for less money to allow for additional cap space?

The answer is no. This isn't the NFL, where contracts can just be cut at will if a player absorbs too much of available cap space. Likewise, contracts in the NBA like the one Kobe has likely couldn't even be restructured if it even were in the new CBA. That is because Kobe's contract predates it by a year and a half.

The closest analogue to what you're hoping for is the stretch exception, which allows a team to reduce the outstanding amount owed to a player on his contract by literally spreading it across several additional years. And again, Kobe is ineligible for this.

If I were kobe, I'd say that I would take a 50% paycut to D12 and challenge him to take 75% of the max contract and see IF he really wants to sacrifice to win championships. Until Kobe agrees to sacrifice, we ain't going anywhere.

Dwight can easily do this in essence by joining another team like HOU or DAL since they are only able to offer him a 4-yr $88m contract -- of which Texas' tax code is nowhere near as punitive as California's. I'm sure that's the last thing you'd want.

The truth is Dwight is completely entitled to take the full max contract. Just as LeBron, one of your stated exemplars of selflessness, will likely do by opting out next season.

Na Kobe's earned every penny he's making now it wouldn't be right for him to give any of that back. But I'll tell you what come the season after next he better be ready to take a 20 million dollar pay cut.

Well, the thing is that if really is committed to our team and wants to win a ring or 2 on his way out he HAS to say that now. If he wants to retire a Laker he has to be willing to take a paycut for a couple of years but he also has to be willing to eat less than his current lion's share when it comes to carrying the offense.

I believe he skirted the question when it was asked if he would play beyond this contract. For planning purposes, Mitch has to know sooner rather than later. I know there are many unknowns due to his current injury, but I would ask the questions (assuming you get back to 90%),: how long do you intend to go and are you willing to take a lessor role?

It would be naive of us to assume just because we don't know precisely what Kobe's plans are that Jimbo and Mitch don't either. What we DO know is that whatever Kobe's plans were, they changed post-injury. All bets are off as far as whatever assumptions people had as to how much longer Kobe would play. And we only know THAT because he himself has since said it multiple times the past few weeks.

Even then, it's not wholly surprising to anyone who's followed #24 over the years. Kobe wants to leave the game on his own terms, which at this point can mean either of two things: 1) returning to Finals and/or winning, 2) proving that he at least can still play at a high level if additional rings are unattainable.

As such, how willing do you think he'd be to take a $20m paycut?

Sure he'll probably be willing to take less, but nowhere near that absurd amount. And if he can still dominate like he used to, what would merit such a reduction in the first place?

P.S.: I highly doubt he's going to actually play another 4 years. People are mistaking how long he thinks he can play with how long he's said he actually wants to play. You definitely shouldn't expect anything outrageous like another max deal.


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[b shaw20]

"
LateRoundFlyer:

Even then, it's not wholly surprising to anyone who's followed #24 over the years. Kobe wants to leave the game on his own terms, which at this point can mean either of two things: 1) returning to Finals and/or winning, 2) proving that he at least can still play at a high level if additional rings are unattainable.

As such, how willing do you think he'd be to take a $20m paycut?

Sure he'll probably be willing to take less, but nowhere near that absurd amount. And if he can still dominate like he used to, what would merit such a reduction in the first place?

P.S.: I highly doubt he's going to actually play another 4 years. People are mistaking how long he thinks he can play with how long he's said he actually wants to play. You definitely shouldn't expect anything outrageous like another max deal. "

The "proving he can stll play at a high level" term you mentioned should not be a significant factor at this stage in his career. We all know he can stll play at a very high level given he had one of his best years this past season. He doesn't have to prove anything. All he has to do is win championships.

My suggestion for him to be willing to do that (as absurd as it sounds) is based on the assumption that winning chips was THE most important factor period. This would allow the Team more flexibility to sign players that could help achieve that. Given the injury and question mark on how he will come back, coupled with his age and minutes played he should limit his minutes and do less heavy lifting.

You imply that because he can still dominate he SHOULD and be paid accordingly for his services. Considering how much bank he has made over the years, my guess is he would sacrifice to win like others are doing now.

The difference is he has won 5 times. What exactly is another chip or 2 worth to his legacy? $20M?

I too doubt he goes beyond 3 years. But the bigger question is how will he go out. His terms, shooting 20 times a game or would he ever accept a lessor role?

I highly doubt it as evidenced from his decision to step away from olympic competition. We know he is still at their level, but given that Durant and Bron are taking a piece of his pie he opted to retire instead.

The Lakers are his and I doubt he will share it, There are not any signs to support otherwise.

[LateRoundFlyer]

"
LateRoundFlyer:

Even then, it's not wholly surprising to anyone who's followed #24 over the years. Kobe wants to leave the game on his own terms, which at this point can mean either of two things: 1) returning to Finals and/or winning, 2) proving that he at least can still play at a high level if additional rings are unattainable.

As such, how willing do you think he'd be to take a $20m paycut?

Sure he'll probably be willing to take less, but nowhere near that absurd amount. And if he can still dominate like he used to, what would merit such a reduction in the first place?

P.S.: I highly doubt he's going to actually play another 4 years. People are mistaking how long he thinks he can play with how long he's said he actually wants to play. You definitely shouldn't expect anything outrageous like another max deal. "

The "proving he can stll play at a high level" term you mentioned should not be a significant factor at this stage in his career. We all know he can stll play at a very high level given he had one of his best years this past season. He doesn't have to prove anything. All he has to do is win championships.

My suggestion for him to be willing to do that (as absurd as it sounds) is based on the assumption that winning chips was THE most important factor period. This would allow the Team more flexibility to sign players that could help achieve that. Given the injury and question mark on how he will come back, coupled with his age and minutes played he should limit his minutes and do less heavy lifting.

You imply that because he can still dominate he SHOULD and be paid accordingly for his services. Considering how much bank he has made over the years, my guess is he would sacrifice to win like others are doing now.

The difference is he has won 5 times. What exactly is another chip or 2 worth to his legacy? $20M?

I too doubt he goes beyond 3 years. But the bigger question is how will he go out. His terms, shooting 20 times a game or would he ever accept a lessor role?

I highly doubt it as evidenced from his decision to step away from olympic competition. We know he is still at their level, but given that Durant and Bron are taking a piece of his pie he opted to retire instead.

The Lakers are his and I doubt he will share it, There are not any signs to support otherwise.

I'm really not sure what you're trying to say here, since from where I'm standing, it looks as if you tried to disagree with me but ended up adopting the same position as well.

See here:

You imply that because he can still dominate he SHOULD and be paid accordingly for his services. Considering how much bank he has made over the years, my guess is he would sacrifice to win like others are doing now.

I don't imply anything, other than that which Kobe himself has implied before. If you're confused to the point that you can't tell the difference between my personal opinion and Kobe's own feelings on the matter, that's not my fault.

Look at what he has said before. People around here, such as yourself, are the ones injecting their own personal appeal into this, not me.

You want Kobe to be a role player. And that's a fine opinion to have. I'm not arguing against that or any of the particular merits of that notion at all. What I have said is exactly in line with how Kobe has thus far responded to that notion, which has almost invariably landed on some expression synonymous to "are you f*cking kidding me?"

Answer this: if you were Kobe, and you were still producing as a top 5 player, would you think it fair of management to doc your salary to a degree that indicated you weren't? ESPECIALLY if you felt you only had a few more years to give to the game anyway?

Precedent is on my (his) side for this. Look at MJ. Sure, that was a different time and different CBA, but the mechanics for a similar deal are still the same.

And really, why should it bother you now anyway? You admit yourself to not knowing Kobe's future plans past this season. You've even had the gall to suggest neither does management. But the bottom line is, in case your argument should count for something at all, it won't be addressed until next summer anyway. The situation is still fluid. We have no idea what Dwight will even do yet.

Your question was already answered: no, Kobe cannot restructure his contract this year. If at that time, Kobe's insistence on getting paid is still an issue, and it precludes the signing of other valuable FAs, won't it be more relevant a topic then?

Those are just my thoughts. But far be it from me to tell anyone what they can and can't discuss. (That sounded sarcastic, but it wasn't intended to be.)



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[wizardg]

Next year will be really tricky for the Lakers and Kobe for so many reason.
1. his 30 mil will count against the cap and prevent signing FA's unless he resigns for cheaper (10 mil is the right number) or is renounced.
2. this achilles injury is a big deal. I've seen it with Chauncey and with Nique. This injury makes you a horrible defender. The next drop off is going to the hole. The human highlight reel was done after his achilles. Kobe is gonna beable to score. But the bad days are going to come more often and Kobe will look BAD playing against teams like GState with 3 good perimeter players. Kobe's may put up top 5 looking pts-asst numbers but defense and FG % are going to plummet. He's top 10-30. And the chances of related foot injuries is large.

It will be fun to see Kobe use his handle (and pump fakes) to its fullest. He is a tremendously skilled player.

3. Kobe is not a guy people really want to play with.
4. Next year this time the Lakers may be the Clippers and the Clippers maybe the Lakers - for all practical purposes.

[Slava]

Next year will be really tricky for the Lakers and Kobe for so many reason.
1. his 30 mil will count against the cap and prevent signing FA's unless he resigns for cheaper (10 mil is the right number) or is renounced.
2. this achilles injury is a big deal. I've seen it with Chauncey and with Nique. This injury makes you a horrible defender. The next drop off is going to the hole. The human highlight reel was done after his achilles. Kobe is gonna beable to score. But the bad days are going to come more often and Kobe will look BAD playing against teams like GState with 3 good perimeter players. Kobe's may put up top 5 looking pts-asst numbers but defense and FG % are going to plummet. He's top 10-30. And the chances of related foot injuries is large.

It will be fun to see Kobe use his handle (and pump fakes) to its fullest. He is a tremendously skilled player.

3. Kobe is not a guy people really want to play with.
4. Next year this time the Lakers may be the Clippers and the Clippers maybe the Lakers - for all practical purposes.

By all accounts, Nique was a beast even after the achilles surgery and he;s mentioned as a best example of recovery in every Kobe article I've read since then.