Report: Lakers will let Kobe become a Free Agent

[Kilroy]

I guess it's not a bomb-shell or anything... But I thought it was interesting that both Jim and Kobe have talked and set this plan up...

But there is possibility that Bryant will not finish his career in purple and gold, and that 20 years from now you'll find a Kobe Bryant jersey in some other color at a thrift store and go, "Oh yeah . . ."

"He becomes a free agent at the end of the season, and Jim Buss says because of the pay structure of the NBA, the Lakers will allow Kobe to become a free agent," Simers writes. "He says he has talked to Kobe and believes they have an understanding, Bryant waiting as a free agent while the team spends to upgrade and then using what is left over to pay Kobe. 'We’ve probably talked,' says Kobe while being somewhat vague, 'but I’m putting off any thought of that.' "

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/kobe-bryant-los-angeles-lakers-free-agent-after-season-102513

[leeprettyp]

Yeah we're gonna have to renounce the rights to both Kobe and Pau to open up the cap space.

[BEazy]

Man I don't want the Kobe Bryant era to end....

[Biased_Fan6425]

Good for the lakers.

If kobe wants 15 mil then let him walk. Same with Pau if he wants 12mil

Max I would offer them is 10 mil for Kobe and Pau at 8mil so that we can get another max contract next year. If not then let's just let them walk. Their jerseys would be up in the rafters anyway.

[semi-sentient]

I guess we're going to see how serious Kobe is about winning. I think a lot of teams will throw big money at him simply because he fills arenas and is still highly marketable, but the Lakers can put together a contending team if he takes a huge pay cut.

It'll definitely be interesting to see how this all goes down.

[dAdo dA dEvil]

... can't imagine Kobe wearing any other jersey ... i believe he stay as a Laker till he retires ...

[ak7]

This means nothing to me, and shouldn't mean anything to anyone.

Of course they would let him become a free agent.

But damn it, I can't picture Kobe in another jersey.

[keloms]

They would've been dumb to lock him up now.

There is 0 chance Kobe leaves or even interviews with another team, this is simply a formality and not wanting to commit to a specific amount right now.

[ROballer]

let? BSPN saying they WON'T let

Talking about an extension as we speak

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/stor ... free-agent

[dockingsched]

as long as its a one yr deal i don't care how much he'll be making. 2014 cap shouldn't be the goal.

[SlimShady83]

This is just silly < Kobe ain't going anywhere, he will most likely take a pay cut then to go to another team

[TruSkool]

neither is kobe taking a paycut nor is he going to another team. I'm expecting a 3 year deal worth about 70 million.

[ROballer]

neither is kobe taking a paycut nor is he going to another team. I'm expecting a 3 year deal worth about 70 million.

Not just no...HELL no!

[SlimShady83]

neither is kobe taking a paycut nor is he going to another team. I'm expecting a 3 year deal worth about 70 million.

Not just no...HELL no!

More then likely he will be year to year at this point much like Jordan? Steven A Smith was discussing this on a vid somewhere can't remember maybe someone on here knows. I think that's a much better way of doing this not knowing how much longer he will play, year by year is best Option I think

[ROballer]

At this point I agree with Doc....all reports show us we have a very small chance of landing a top FA next year so I don't really care nor I want to get into the debate of how much he should be getting...as long as it's a 1 yr deal

Even if he gets 20 mil we still have wiggle room for another MAX type player if any of the top dogs are willing to come to LA and we can reload in 2015 or beyond

[One Love]

Assuming Pau plays like Pau is capable of he should get a TD or KG deal at this stage which is $10 million a year... He should have great numbers this year as we will play through him... Kobe is a wild card... He could demand a MAX or help us contend... MJ took one year $30 million deals... It will be interesting... I would envision 3 years at $20 million flat...

[The Skyhook]

Even if Kobe never got injured 20 million a year at a flat rate is too damn high over a three year span. Kobe has made a great deal of money throughout his career and because of his marketability he makes a lot through endorsements. I really which he would look at taking a big cut which 10 million a year seems ideal but if 2014 isn't going to be where the Lakers make some noise then maybe we should pay him something like 20 million as incentive for him to take a big paycut in 2015 and on.

[chefy]

For the right player/s Kobe will take a paycut for sure. I can also see Gasol taking a paycut if Kobe takes one.


The way I see it, this one is really up to the FO to be creative and be aggressive next off season to make sure they recruit the right players for a final push. If we can sign one all star and maybe one or two solid role players, add in Kaman and Young we should be a very good team.


Now if Kobe and Gasol leave next off season because the FO decided were just going to rebuild, then that is a different story.

[Michael Lucky]

sounds like there's a big set up going up right now to me and that kobe will actually play the opener. lol

[H00PDREAMS]

LAKERS: KOBE WON’T BECOME FREE AGENT

“I want to put an end to any speculation that we would allow Kobe to become a free agent,” Buss told ESPNLA.com. “That’s not going to happen. Kobe is a top priority for us. He’s a Laker legend and always will be. I don’t think we’re done winning championships with him yet.


http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2013/10/2 ... f:nbahpt6d