$48.5 mil ($23.5M + $25M) Down from the $30M he makes this year... Will make $320M in career earnings.

As of right now he would still be highest paid player in the NBA. I think this is a bad business move.

I understand why they are doing it, but I don't understand his thoughts on how to get "help" by taking up such a large cap figure.

I understand why they are doing it, but I don't understand his thoughts on how to get "help" by taking up such a large cap figure.

 

This is what I don't get. By staying the highest paid player in the NBA you make it more difficult for your team to build around you this off season. I won't even get into the fact that an aging Kobe Bryant will not be worth it at this price.

They can still get a max player next year.

They can still get a max player next year.

 

But what else? I have a feeling it's going to take more than just Nash, Kobe, and any max player at that point.

But what else? I have a feeling it's going to take more than just Nash, Kobe, and any max player at that point.

 

I think they will still be around the $80M mark is spending. They sit at $36M right now.

I think they will still be around the $80M mark is spending. They sit at $36M right now.

 

The point is why make Kobe the highest paid player in the NBA on the tail end of his career. Think of the roll players the extra 5-10 million could get you for a title run. Does anyone honestly believe Kobe will be a top 5 player for the next 3 years?

The point is why make Kobe the highest paid player in the NBA on the tail end of his career. Think of the roll players the extra 5-10 million could get you for a title run. Does anyone honestly believe Kobe will be a top 5 player for the next 3 years?

 

Of course not but it's not that simple. Do you understand what the backlash would be from the fan base if you let Kobe walk? Trust me I wish he signed for $10M a year but I'm just happy it wasn't $30M again.

Of course not but it's not that simple. Do you understand what the backlash would be from the fan base if you let Kobe walk? Trust me I wish he signed for $10M a year but I'm just happy it wasn't $30M again.

 

Kobe definitely wasn't looking for the hometown discount that's for sure. You have somebody like Lebron who sacrifices in the prime of his career to only be paid 15-17 mil, and Kobe won't even go that low on his final years coming off a bum knee/achilles. I understand the Lakers had to keep him, but my beef's with Kobe on this one. He was going to get the most he could get, and for someone who acts like he wants to have a solid team around him again you can't have it both ways. He's let his pride and ego get in the way and I'm sure he's not exactly hurting for cash. Even if it's not as low as 10 mil (which is probably the fairest amount on both sides), shouldn't have got to 20. He just got too greedy IMO, I guess trying to get paid for his career, not for the two years he has yet to play. I'm sure the near 300 mil he's already made wasn't enough to cover what he's gave them in his career, I guess he felt he had to milk a little more to make his time there worth it. Too many players nowadays get paid for what they've done, not what they are going to do on the final contract. Bad business IMO.

Of course not but it's not that simple. Do you understand what the backlash would be from the fan base if you let Kobe walk? Trust me I wish he signed for $10M a year but I'm just happy it wasn't $30M again.

 

Do you think any team that had a shot at the title was dropping 48.5 mill over two years for Kobe? If I were the Lakers I play hard ball. If Kobe wants to lose and take the money let him .

Do you think any team that had a shot at the title was dropping 48.5 mill over two years for Kobe? If I were the Lakers I play hard ball. If Kobe wants to lose and take the money let him .

 

So just alienate 99% of your fan base to play hardball with Kobe. The Lakers print money. Going over the luxury tax threshold isn't going to be a problem. They can still get a 2nd max player so it doesn't really hurt that bad. It might cost them a role player on the roster. If they were smart they would be trading Gasol for younger players or picks this year.

Kobe definitely wasn't looking for the hometown discount that's for sure. You have somebody like Lebron who sacrifices in the prime of his career to only be paid 15-17 mil, and Kobe won't even go that low on his final years coming off a bum knee/achilles. I understand the Lakers had to keep him, but my beef's with Kobe on this one. He was going to get the most he could get, and for someone who acts like he wants to have a solid team around him again you can't have it both ways. He's let his pride and ego get in the way and I'm sure he's not exactly hurting for cash. Even if it's not as low as 10 mil (which is probably the fairest amount on both sides), shouldn't have got to 20. He just got too greedy IMO, I guess trying to get paid for his career, not for the two years he has yet to play. I'm sure the near 300 mil he's already made wasn't enough to cover what he's gave them in his career, I guess he felt he had to milk a little more to make his time there worth it. Too many players nowadays get paid for what they've done, not what they are going to do on the final contract. Bad business IMO.

 

They are in the business of making money first and foremost and this does nothing but help that. You can't just let one of the best players in franchise history walk. They overpaid no question but I honestly think Kobe could have demanded more.

Kobe could have gotten $32.7M in the first year over the $23.5M it will be.

Kobe definitely wasn't looking for the hometown discount that's for sure. You have somebody like Lebron who sacrifices in the prime of his career to only be paid 15-17 mil, and Kobe won't even go that low on his final years coming off a bum knee/achilles. I understand the Lakers had to keep him, but my beef's with Kobe on this one. He was going to get the most he could get, and for someone who acts like he wants to have a solid team around him again you can't have it both ways. He's let his pride and ego get in the way and I'm sure he's not exactly hurting for cash. Even if it's not as low as 10 mil (which is probably the fairest amount on both sides), shouldn't have got to 20. He just got too greedy IMO, I guess trying to get paid for his career, not for the two years he has yet to play. I'm sure the near 300 mil he's already made wasn't enough to cover what he's gave them in his career, I guess he felt he had to milk a little more to make his time there worth it. Too many players nowadays get paid for what they've done, not what they are going to do on the final contract. Bad business IMO.

 

What did Bird make in his final year when he couldn't walk because of his back? Barkley? Your Airness? Magic? Kareem?

 

Show me one top 10 player of all time who took a hometown discount in their last two years of playing. And technically, this is a hometown discount. And anyone who thought the Lakers wouldn't pay Kobe and anyone who though Kobe wasn't going to get paid is being naive. The Lakers got a steal. Like the Knicks wouldn't have given him 30 million. Please. Kobe made 320 million off of the Lakers. How much did the Lakers make off of Kobe during his 17+ year career? Do you guys know anything about business?