The Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant have agreed upon a two-year extension that will last through the 2015-16 season.
While the extension comes as no surprise to anyone, the timing of the extension is a bit strange. Bryant has yet to play a a game for the Lakers this season as he’s still recovering from his ruptured Achilles tendon that was initially injured in April of this year.
Bryant has began practicing with the team and the imminence of his return has drawn nearer with each passing day. The announcement of Bryant’s extension came via the Lakers Twitter account.
BREAKING: The #Lakers and @kobebryant agree to terms on a contract extension. #GoLakers pic.twitter.com/1JiXnrTJ3h
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 25, 2013
Kupchak: “This is a very happy day… We’ve said all along that our priority and hope was to have Kobe finish his career as a Laker.”
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 25, 2013
Even without Bryant playing a game for the Lakers this season, the extension being signed right now is a sign that the Lakers believe that Bryant has made a full recovery, or is very close to one, and that he will be an effective player for the next three years.
The terms of the deal have not been released.
*UPDATE* – It’s being reported that the deal is close to $48M a year per Chris Broussard of ESPN and ESPNLA’s Ramona Shelburne
Kobe’s contract will be $23.5 million and $25 million, source tells ESPNLA.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) November 25, 2013
“This is a very happy day for Lakers fans and for the Lakers organization,” said Kupchak. “We’ve said all along that our priority and hope was to have Kobe finish his career as a Laker, and this should ensure that that happens. To play 20 years in the NBA, and to do so with the same team, is unprecedented, and quite an accomplishment. Most importantly however, it assures us that one of the best players in the world will remain a Laker, bringing us excellent play and excitement for years to come.”
Bryant, a five-time NBA Champion, has earned numerous accolades over the span of his 17-year career, including being selected as the NBA MVP in 2007-08 and winning the NBA Finals MVP award in 2008-09 and 2009-10. The 15-time NBA All-Star has also led the United States to gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Olympics. Bryant has earned All-NBA honors in each of the last 15 seasons and has been named to the NBA’s All-Defensive Team 12 times.
The Lakers have appeared in postseason play in all but one season (2004-05) of Bryant’s 17 campaigns with the team, and have reached the NBA Finals seven times, winning championships in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2010. The 6’6” guard scored a career-high 81 points (55 in the 2nd half) on January 22, 2006, the second highest game and half point totals in NBA history.
Originally acquired by the Lakers from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Vlade Divac on July 11, 1996 after being selected by the Hornets with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, Bryant is the Lakers all-time leading scorer and currently ranks 4th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. [/showhide]
