Kobe decides to stay with Lakers
http://msn.foxsports.com/story/2577904
According to multiple reports, including the Los Angeles Times, Bryant will
remain with the Lakers, signing a seven-year contract worth around $136
million. The Clippers were the other team in the running for the embattled
superstar, and they could only offer Bryant a six-year deal worth about $100
million.
The signing was helped by the trade of Shaquille O'Neal to the Heat on
Wednesday.
Bryant, who turns 26 next month, joined the Lakers in 1996 - the same year
O'Neal was signed as a free agent.
The pair feuded at times, but as one of the top 1-2 punches in NBA history they
led the Lakers to three championships (2000-02) and a berth in the finals this
year, where they lost to the Detroit Pistons in five games.
Two days later, at a season-ending news conference on June 17, Kupchak said the
Lakers would do whatever possible to re-sign Bryant and wouldn't trade him
under any circumstances.
When asked about possibly trading O'Neal, Kupchak left the door open.
The day after that, O'Neal demanded a trade; Phil Jackson was told his days as
coach of the Lakers were over; and as expected, Bryant opted out of his
contract to become an unrestricted free agent.
Considering the differences Bryant had with O'Neal and his disdain for
Jackson's structured offense, the moves involving O'Neal and Jackson were
thought by many to have been made to placate Bryant.
Bryant will stand trial for felony sexual assault beginning Aug. 27 in Eagle,
Colo. If he is found guilty, he could serve four years to life. In that event,
the Lakers would not be liable for the entirety of the contract, and NBA
sources told the Los Angeles Times that the league would not allow a deal in
which Bryant was paid if in prison.
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