2 years 48.5 million. Why would you give a guy at the end of career that kind of cake? I don't know how those numbers impact the Lakers but it doesn't seem to be the way to rebuild your lineup.

_________________
Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

They've got money coming off the books, and I think he's actually taking a pay cut. If they sign Lebron and Melo, watch out.

_________________

I dont think LeBron would leave Miami for anything now. Good life, most money he could ever want and that said, he wants to always be in Miami and not become the guy who left. I think he got a taste of that and didnt like it, even if it was cleveland.

_________________
"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

Agreed. If they can also get two more superstars around Melo they would have a chance.

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

_________________

This is incredibly dumb. When did Isaiah Thomas begin offering GM consulting services to LA? I don't care if LBJ or Melo or both join the Lakers - this contract is already dead money, even if Kobe starts this week.

_________________
Successful calls:

Kyrie Irving will never win anything as a team's alpha: check
T.rubisky is a bust: check
Ben Simmons is a liability: check
The Fields Cult is dumb: double check

2013 CSFMB ROY

They aren't likely going to be winning anytime soon. This is a thank you contract. You really couldn't insult the guy by offering him the $8M he will truly be worth going into his 19th season.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

It's still dumb. If I'm a Lakers fan I'm angry that my team is extending an aging, crippled 35 year old guard for two more years at 24 million a year. Like you said, they're not winning any time soon, so why not start planning for the future? The best thing to do would be to do what the Colts did with Manning: say your goodbyes and move on.

_________________
Successful calls:

Kyrie Irving will never win anything as a team's alpha: check
T.rubisky is a bust: check
Ben Simmons is a liability: check
The Fields Cult is dumb: double check

2013 CSFMB ROY

True. They're making a shit load of money and taking a ton of PR hits. Fans will still come to see the end of Kobe's career. If you're not going to win you may as well put asses in the seats. He's not worth the money unless he manages to turn back the clock and I don't even think he can overcome that injury at his age. We'll see though.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

Awful contract. The guy is 35, has a million miles on him and is coming of a horrific injury for basketball players and Jim Buss makes him the highest paid player in the NBA? Genius.

You're looking at it wrong. It isn't a basketball decision at all. They need an attraction to justify their ticket prices and to get fans to come to the stadium. Kobe is that attraction. It's a good business decision.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

They're the Los Angeles Lakers. They'll maintain their brand well after Kobe is gone. I don't think Kobe's commercial impact justifies this contract.

He's making more money this year, and is already the highest paid player in the league. He's taking a pay cut on this deal.

_________________

That's true. They're once again making him the highest paid NBA player. One of the most logical things Bernstein says is "pay for future performance, not past performance". They haven't even seen what he is going to look like in an NBA game this season and they decided to commit that money to him. I understand his popularity but I do not think this was a wise move.

How? When was the last time they were without a franchise player? No one is going to pay $10k to see Jordan Hill. It's the same reason why Jerry was willing to pay Jordan $30M. They know they'll make more money selling Kobe and his "Final" season or championship run than they would otherwise. Then take into account the PR hits they've taken over the past season. Imagine how much worse it would be if they allowed Kobe to walk? Smart business decision IMO.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

Kobe is 35 right now and will be 36 and 37 for those remaining two years which total almost 50 million dollars. Last year he was an excellent offensive player but far from the best player in the league. Jordan last season with the Bulls was in 98' when he was 35, he was also the best player in the league and had a championship supporting cast around him. He also wasn't coming off of a devastating injury that ends or severely alters most careers. The situations are too different. This does not make sense financially or long term. It's been a long time since the Lakers have been without a franchise player but at this point in time Kobe is only a franchise player in terms of commercial value, not on the court. Drastically overpaying for a fast deteriorating player is not wise and will not hasten their rise back to the elite.

I see what you're saying, but if the Bulls are going to do well financially after Jordan (and before Rose), then I assume the Lakers might be able to pull off something similar, no? Even the crappy Knicks have been selling seats and they've had nothing but garbage to sell for nearly 15 years.

But I guess if the Lakers are reasoning Kobe will sell more seats and what not, that says a lot about the standards of Lakers fans than anything else. Who in their right mind is going to pay to see Kobe, Gasol, and Steve Nash lead the Lakers to 40 wins?

_________________
Successful calls:

Kyrie Irving will never win anything as a team's alpha: check
T.rubisky is a bust: check
Ben Simmons is a liability: check
The Fields Cult is dumb: double check

2013 CSFMB ROY

The Lakers are perennially the most attractive, interesting team in basketball. The Lakers have always been able to reload. The glitz and media attention that surrounds the Lakers isn't going to go away when Kobe departs. It will always be there. They're merely delaying the inevitable by overpaying for a guy well past his prime who can no longer lead them far into the playoffs. If Kobe were to depart I don't think the hit the Lakers would take popularity wise would have been impossible to over come. Many people would have been upset but many logical thinking fans would have understood.

If you aren't good at basketball you need something to sell to your fans. Kobe's commercial value more than pays for this deal. He may surprise all of us and still be good. We'll see. They'll have a lottery pick and about $30M to build around him.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

Jerry West is gone and Jerry Buss is dead. The Lakers proved last season they don't have the magic they once had to be able to reload. The Lakers (I believe) have by far the most expensive tickets in basketball. Even their fans will demand a star attraction. We're in agreement that basketball wish he is getting about 3 times what he is truly going to be worth. It isn't a smart basketball move but I see the benefits of it business wise.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

People paid good money to see Mariano Rivera. I would say Kobe has been more valuable to the Lakers. I would pay to see Kobe's last game in Chicago. I'm sure I will. He's going to help sellout nearly every arena.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

Awful move, not surprising though. since the dumb son took over for daddy its been one bad move after the next. nas, you are very wrong ... the lakers are sold out @ home for the next 2 years anyway with or without this awful 2 year deal.

_________________

Nas is right on here, this isn't about basketball at all. Lakers aren't going anywhere regardless, give him the thank you contract, people will come, move on.....i certainly can see vegan's point about just moving on and starting the rebuilding process but it's obviously not a purely basketball based decision so that doesn't really matter

I'm not really sure they have to "move on" anyway. If Nash retires (which he most likely will), Kobe and Nick Young will be the only 2 guys under contract next season (and they even have option to buy out Nick Young's deal). They will have $40+ million to spend going into next year. They will be huge players in free agency.

_________________

maybe they can grab boozer and deng and rose

_________________
the world will always the world. your entire existence is defined by your response.

Kobe Bryant will play well enough to deserve the money on this contract more than the money Derrick Rose will get rehabbing his knee's to come back and be the next Brandon Roy

_________________