Lakers Lock Up Kobe Until The Summer Of 2016 For Imminent Retirement.
One of the biggest stories in the off-season and throughout the regular season thus far has been the contract status situation with Kobe Bryant. Earlier today, Kobe Bryant officially decided to agree to a 2-year/$48M contract. After Jerry Buss passed away last season, the team has (still) been in a bit of turmoil with the firing of Mike Brown last season after 5 games, not hiring Phil Jackson when Kobe asked, Dwight Howard leaving in the off-season and Jeannie Buss losing control within the organization.
While a Kobe Bryan to 10 years ago would speak his mind openly about the situation, he’s reflected on his career and is content with retiring as a Laker in comparison to chasing another ring somewhere else. Speaking of rings, Kobe’s still thirsting for that 6th title and whether that happens or not remains to be seen. While Kobe’s been recovering from his torn Achilles tendon last season, the Lakers have maintained a respectable .500 record with role players stepping up in the faster Mike D’Antoni system.
Check after the jump for more on the story.
Carmelo Anthony’s been rumored to join the Lakers in the off-season next summer, but the hefty $48 million tag Kobe has may hinder Melo from taking a pay cut to play a reduced role. Now at the age of 35, Bryant still maintains his NBA highest-paid player bragging rights and will cash out in loyalty to the purple and gold organization he began his career with 17 years ago. Kobe has been rumored to return the team in December and has taken the necessary proper steps into having a full recovery from surgery for elite level play.
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