It's not a stone-cold lock that Dr. Buss would match anyways. He is not among the most richest of NBA owners. His largest source of income is derived from the Lakers, he doesn't have gobs of cash from a dot-com past like Cuban, or is married to a member of the Wal-Mart family like Stan Kroenke of Denver, or own a gambling empire like the Maloofs, or a Shopping Mall empire like the Simons. He's just good ol' Jerry who parties with girls younger than Jeanie and tries to drive through San Diego County while intoxicated.
So again...when it gets down to it, Kobe will not and has not indicated that he will take a pay cut to make it easier for the Lakers to make signings. Both Odom and Ariza can leave unless they get what they want, and Dr. Buss has only shown a willingness to pay the luxury-tax in an effort to win. If they can't this year, is he willing to pay it again?
Again...not a stone-cold lock.