Paying the Cost to be the Boss

Kobe's massive extension has already sent shockwaves through the league. The 35-year-old Mamba, who has yet to play a minute since major surgery is slated to receive 23.5 millions next year and 25 million the year after. Obviously Kobe had to be extended, obviously 2 years is ideal, but the sticker price is staggering. Major critics of this deal (Bill Simmons...surprise!) question Kobe's desire to win title # 6, stating that if he wanted to help the Lakers Kobe would have accepted a hometown discount to free up more cap space (a la Garnett or Duncan). Kobe's previous contract was grandfathered in from before the 2011 collective bargaining agreement and as such he was making a now nearly impossible to obtain $30,453000 for this year. Because players are allowed to sign contracts for up to 105% of their previous salary KB24's max contract was $31,975,650. WOWZA. So the Lakers got away with an 8.5 million dollar discount. Optimists would point to the Lakers' otherwise spartan payroll for next year and assume that the lakeshow still has plenty of room to play: KB24's aforementioned contract, the suddenly decrepit Steve Nash @ 9.7 million, and Robert Sacre-Bleu sneaks in for 900 Gs. That soaks up at least 34.2 mil but more likely 35.4 mil assuming that Nick Young (aka Swaggy P) takes his player option for 1.2 large (how did that happen?). The optimists are right that the Lakers will have cash to flash, specifically 36 million assuming they can use exceptions to get all the way up to the luxury tax limit. But 36 million will dry up pretty quick, when you are using it to fill 9 roster spots.

Maybe the Lakeshow can attract one max contract player under these restrictions, but who would that savior be? Lebron? Fat chance. Wade? Never leaving, plus has one 0.75 knees left. Melo? Maybe. Lakers + Melo = Championship? HA! Now admittedly I am letting my cynicism rule unchecked, there are several interesting players in the mix for this free-agent class (Dirk, Gortat, Ed Davis, Greg Monroe, Demarcus Cousins, Favors etc....)  that would allow any team with cash a chance to rebuild. But lets just admit that despite the Laker's financial flexibility, the post-injury Kobe is not worth 32.8% of a team's salary (again assuming they can find their way up to the luxury limit), nor will he be worth 34.8% of a team's salary next year. But Kobe really can't be blamed for this deal, and not even in the "this game is a business gets what's yours" sense. Kobe never demanded this deal, there was no negotiation, this contract is exactly what the Lakers offered him and he signed it with no counter offer. One more piece of evidence that Jim Buss is just not his dad.

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."