Lakers Give Bryant $70M Deal
Kobe Bryant signed a six-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday believed to be worth nearly $71 million.
Bryant, who doesn't turn 21 until August, has one year remaining on the contract he signed before his rookie season in 1996.
The extension starts with next season, and runs through the 2004-2005 season. Once it takes effect, Bryant will be the second-highest paid Laker, behind Shaquille O'Neal.
Bryant will reportedly earn $14.62 million in the final year of the contract, and will be just 26 when it expires.
"We're very pleased to get this contract done," executive vice president of basketball operations Jerry West said. "As I've said since we traded for Kobe back in 1996, we think he's one of the most talented young players in the NBA."
Bryant was the 13th player selected in the 1996 NBA draft, being taken at age 17 by the Charlotte Hornets after attending Lower Merion, Pa., High. He was then traded to the Lakers for center Vlade Divac, who is now with the Sacramento Kings.
Bryant averaged 7.6 points in 71 games for the Lakers as a rookie, and 15.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 79 games last season, when he had the highest scoring average among non-starters in the NBA and became the youngest player in league history to play in an All-Star game, much less start in one.
"He's going to continue to improve and make us a better team as he does so, and we're glad to know he'll be a Laker for years to come," West said. "Kobe's also a wonderful person who conducts himself with class, dignity and respect off the court as well as on it."
It's believed Bryant will earn the maximum allowable under the new collective bargaining agreement.
"I've loved my two years with the Lakers and am looking forward to the future," said Bryant, who will likely continue his role as a sixth-man this season. "The team, the fans and the city have been so supportive and great to me. I'm thrilled with my new contract extension and hope and plan to be a Laker for life."
Bryant previously said he grew up "being a huge Laker fan," and called playing with the Lakers "a dream."
The NBA has given teams a seven-week window which opened Jan. 21 to use the so-called "Bird rights" to extend the contracts of second-year players for any salary up to the maximum, regardless of salary-cap limitations.
Allen Iverson and Shareef Abdur-Rahim -- two other prominent players who began their NBA careers the same time as Bryant, both signed six-year contracts worth nearly $71 million this week with the Philadelphia 76ers and Vancouver Grizzlies, respectively.
Bryant's new deal is believed to be very similar to the contracts signed by Iverson and Abdur-Rahi. The contract for Bryant, as with Iverson, is believed to have an "out" clause after five seasons.
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