Apparently, Kobe Bryant loves L.A. Yesterday, the NBA superstar signed on to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers for at least three more years and to the tune of $90 million, which is a pretty good reason to love it… Going into effect after next season, the contract extension will keep Kobe with the team through the 2013-14 season.
“It’s very rare to have a player play his entire career in one city, so I’m very excited,” he said of the decision.
Now 31, Kobe is making $23 million this season and is due to earn $24.8 million next season. With the new contract, he could earn $27.4 million in 2011-12, $30.2 million the following season and more than $32 million in his final year, when he would turn 35. He had the option of terminating the last two years of his contract and becoming an unrestricted free agent last July and he had the option to become a free agent this summer, but he chose not to go that route.
“I knew I was going to be here,” he said.
Recently, a rough patch with the team had people speculating about Kobe’s departure, and he was forced to speak publicly about the possibility. He shared his thoughts on his official website: “When you love something as much as I love the Lakers it’s hard to even imagine thinking about being elsewhere. But, the ONE THING I will never sacrifice when it comes to basketball is WINNING.”
Luckily, the tides turned for the Lakers, and Kobe and coach Phil Jackson were able to reach a working agreement. Now, it’s onwards and upwards. –gerald radford
