Lakers: Unless Kobe Restructures His Contract We're Not Winning Again

[Killakobe81]

Its very hard to put together a good team with one player making $30 million, no matter who it is with the new luxury tax deal. If next year is the last year of the deal, you eat that $30 million hit gladly if you are a Laker fan given all Bryant has done for the franchise. Next year looks like a lost cause anyway. If the Lakers are smart, they let Dwight Howard walk and prepare to make a big free agent push in 2014. If they can make a big splash in free agency, I'll bet Kobe resigns to a more franchise friendly contract in order to chase ring number six.

Smart man. Even if Dwight signs this team aint even a WCF team unless other moves are made. Sounds silly but Kobe injury may be a blessing especially if Dwight leaves and we can make a big move next off-season. Lakers focus should be 17, not a half-baked attempt at 6 tbh

[ElNono]

did it really took OP one full year to come this realization?

[Venti Quattro]

Riddle for you. When has Kobe EVER been unselfish?

He's been selfish but he'a not dumb. He's gonna make this move after the third trimester of his $85m contract is up.

[Venti Quattro]

Its very hard to put together a good team with one player making $30 million, no matter who it is with the new luxury tax deal. If next year is the last year of the deal, you eat that $30 million hit gladly if you are a Laker fan given all Bryant has done for the franchise. Next year looks like a lost cause anyway. If the Lakers are smart, they let Dwight Howard walk and prepare to make a big free agent push in 2014. If they can make a big splash in free agency, I'll bet Kobe resigns to a more franchise friendly contract in order to chase ring number six.

You are correct. Kobe, Pau ($50 million combined) and everyone come off the books in 2014. If they let Dwight walk they will have so much cap flexibility.

[AchillesHeel]

2014 free agents(unrestricted)

Pierce
Deng
Carter
Bogut
Delfino
Granger
Melo(ETO)
Amare(ETO)
Wade(ETO)
Bron(ETO)
Bosh(ETO)
Gortat
Bonner
Jefferson
Lowry
Sessions
Sefolosha

the better choices, not gonna get melo,wade or bron but anyone else on that list will be attainable, could put up a nice, deep roster with a good pick from the 2014 draft and re-sign Kobe,Pau and Hill for cheap.

[Venti Quattro]

Sessions
LkrFan

Just no to Sessions

[AchillesHeel]

I might have been a bit sarcastic with some of those names on that list.

[namlook]

Kobe can't re-structure his contract, because it is not allowed by the CBA.

Kobe's contract will be up, and the Lakers will give him a blank check and he'll put whatever number he wants on it, probably like 60 million for 2 years.

No chance that happens. Kobe will take a pay cut in his next contract.

[Splits]

If Spursfan was mad at Manus $14m contract costing them game 6 of the finals with EIGHT I can't wait to see Faker fan react to Japanese side of beef making $30m and not getting out of round 2. He ed your franchise, only rational July decisions are 1) amnesty or 2) disabled player exception

You can't rework his 2013-14 deal, dumbass Faker fans.

[spurraider21]

Bron aint comin to LA. Melo might. Then Lakers would have a chucker of even higher proportion to Kobe

[Rogue]

Get his contract completely off the book and you're still 100m over the cap

[LeBronWillBeTheGOAT]

HAHA Good one. But tbh, this is not up to Kobe, at age 37, he has no bargaining power, I'm sure the Lakers are also ready to move forward with a new face of their franchise. Like I said, Lakers will give him a rich offer given his legacy and importance in LA. If Kobe thinks its too low, he can test the FA market at which point he'll realize no one is crazy enough to offer more. He'll come back crawling to the Lakers, unless he feels slighted and plays for less riding coattails/ring chasing.

He Can Take His Talents To South Beach And Play Backup SG To Wade And Pass Jordan In Rings. But At The Same Time, He Would Be Helping LeBron Catch Him

[Michael Jordan.]

[unforeseen]

[Baseline]

I'm not even sure it can be done and even if it could I'm not saying he should..I'm just recognizing the fact that unless we get lucky (like the Spurs did making the finals this season) it's unlikely we get to six with his exorbitant salary. It's just like KG's first 7 yrs in Minny...he made all the money and never won...I'm not sure what bag of tricks my guy has left but after the back2back he basically stopped working hard in the gym and tried to win more les on his rep..I saw when he started to do this...I've been following him my whole career...(oops his whole career) and I could tell he slacked off in the gym a bit and just wasn't as focused and driven...Every year he used to come back with something new to his game...he would bulk up or do something extreme..but after we defeated Boston contentedness settled upon him and he tried to coast...I never said anything to anyone about it but I saw what he was doing...he was just tired and wore down...but I'm hoping he can pull out that old 2006 poisonous snake vial and drink it down just like True Blood...we need him one more time...just one...pass Magic and all his hating ways and I'm good....forever

Amen

I commend you, Kool, for admitting this. Bryant has NEVER taken a penny less. Not once. So how much does he really love the Lakers? That's a huge reason why I can't stand the guy. He says he's all about winning rings, but to me, that's just more stat padding because his actions don't reflect what he's saying. Look, the guy has always been a volume shooter. So at this point in his career, he has to surround himself with more efficient players.

[Koolaid_Man]

I commend you, Kool, for admitting this. Bryant has NEVER taken a penny less. Not once. So how much does he really love the Lakers? That's a huge reason why I can't stand the guy. He says he's all about winning rings, but to me, that's just more stat padding because his actions don't reflect what he's saying. Look, the guy has always been a volume shooter. So at this point in his career, he has to surround himself with more efficient players.

I was ing round with that Cali Dro when I penned that ....there's no truth in it...

[Thread]

Bryant has NEVER taken a penny less. Not once. So how much does he really love the Lakers?

Enough to sign off on Artest.

[DPG21920]

Enough to sign off on Artest.

Only to usher him out the door. He's an animal.

[whitemamba]

Would any of you guys take a pay cut? I doubt it because you are all greedy nig Jews.

[Thread]

He's an animal.

lmemulatedao!!!

[Michael Jordan.]

[Thebesteva]

Kobe ed the Lakers over by not taking a pay cut. I think in a league where guys like Dirk and Lebron are taking pay cuts to win, it's amazing to me that a guy worth approximately $200 million dollars wants to max out every penny from the Lakers before he retires.

Look over at Tom Brady, the guys compe ive nature kills him so much he took pay cuts to win. If Kobe does not restructure his contract then he will not win. But I guarantee you, I would bet my life on it, that Kobe will come back next season and deal with alot of 'nagging' injuries. Then he will see the Lakers are not really playoff contenders anymore much less le contenders and he will miss alot of games next year then announce his retirement.

It's gonna be such a lame ass year next year for Laker fans IMO.

Posting this 6 months before his contract extension...so ing money

[Michael Jordan.]

[Koolaid_Man]

times change..I always reserve the right to change my Opinion....even when I lie I still tell the truth

[Michael Jordan.]

No chance that happens. Kobe will take a pay cut in his next contract.