This thread is ABOUT the future... I just dont want this team to suck becuase Kobe hobbled the Lakers at the end of his career. Obviously Mitch and Buss would have to agree to overpay...which I dont think they would
I do think we will "overpay" for Kobe and give him a max contract, especially with a title. Yeah and I think you're getting all riled up over nothing. Teams screw NBA players all the time, when vice-versa happens that's just how the business works. I feel fortunate that at least we're not in Gilbert Arenas territory; it could have happened to a much worse player. I don't feel sorry for the Lakers.
I in no means claim to have all the answers, nor does anybody since we cant predict the future but... Kobe has his option this offseason which everybody assumes he will opt out. Am I wrong in assuming he will want max money? Before I can answer this question more...What is a "max contract" right now for Kobe? I dont know the specifics on that
Yeah he's probably going to opt out for long term security. Max contract I believe is 20-25 million a year.
Im not saying you dont but I ALWAYS care more about the team than the players. Players (including HOF'ers) come and go. The "thank you gift" Kobe deserves if he helps win the 'ship this year...is his salary for this year
The Lakers' will offer him a 6 year for at least $20 million/year and he'll sign it. No hesitations on either side.
Okay...lets assume you are right in both of your projections 6yr/25 mil. That will put Kobe at 36/37 years old. Do you really think for those last two years he will be worth 25mil per year??? This one Im not as concerned as with what will come after that. I can deal with that since you cant put a price on championships. Its the one after Im really concerned about...that last 2-3 years of his career. Will he be realistic and take a pay cut? Will he try to make Laker management look like the bad guys for making him leave? A lot can happen in the next 5 years or so. Obviously I cant say exactly what he will be worth but Im just scared he will be overpayed due to the "loyalty factor" which I think is a bunch of BS. Thats all Im trying to say
After this six year contract that is coming up, I am totally guessing here but I think he'll realize he definitely isn't close to his prime anymore at 36 years old, barring some miracle. I assume he'll take a paycut, I don't know any guys out there asking for that amount of cash at that age. But like you said, we're gladly jumping in front of the bullet now to secure those rings.
Apparently you've never heard of Shaq and his $20mil contract at 36. I realize he signed that extension when he was what, 32 or 33, something like that, but that's still a ridiculous amount for a guy who was clearly on the downside. As for Kobe, I expect him to sign something in the range of 6yrs for $120mil...probably a player option for the last couple years, as well as a NTC in there too. If there is a PO in his next contract, I think he might opt out when he's able to and sign for less, that's just my thought though.
Well no 37 year old free agent would ever ask for that kind of money, was my point. I've never heard of max contract demands in basketball at that age. I know Baseball is somewhat different though (Ramirez comes to mind).
Baseball is a completely different monster. Players can easily be productive in to their 40s (i.e. Ricky Henderson, Jamie Moyer, Barry Bonds - even though he did 'roids), so it's not surprising to see a 36 year old Manny asking for $25mil per year. The dude can still hit the ball, plain and simple. You land him, you're getting a guy who'll hit 35 HRs, get 125 RBI, and hit somewhere around .320 to .350. Simply put, he's an offensive machine, even if he is getting up there in age.
Yes, and thankfully the Lakers didnt get fooled into that contract...lets hope they do that again with Kobe if it gets to that
I have a hunch that it has something to do with the Yanks wrapping up $487 million this offseason between CC, Burnett, and Teixeira...just a hunch. Beyond that, he's not exactly a necessity. He's a horrible defensive player, and the team is already loaded with bats. As enticing as the though of having a 3/4/5 or Teix, ARod and Manny is...it's just never going to happen. He wants too much money and doesn't really fill a need for them.
I don't know but I'm a very competitive person, he's not a need but he's going to come at a discount regardless. There's no cap, I'd just go for it.
If the Yanks go for him, I doubt he comes at a discount. Hell, Scott Boras as it is hasn't backed down from his stance of wanting a 4-5 year deal for the Dodgers, I doubt he'd do it for the Yanks. And he surely isn't going to come down from his $25mil asking any time soon either. I think the only way those demands decrease is if he's not on a roster come opening day, which seems like it could be very possible with the way things are going.
