Bryant made $27.8 million last year, Howard made $19.5 million, and Gasol made $19.0 million, for a grand total of $66.3 million. Those three salaries combined were more than the total payroll for 14 other NBA teams. Bryant will be paid $30.5 million next season, effectively making him the highest paid athlete in the NBA.
So far, if the Lakers were to sign every player back from last year’s roster and make no changes, the salary amount they would be paying is $84.2 million. However, this is without Dwight Howard’s large contract, and the possible decision to bring back Antwan Jamison, Earl Clark, and Darius Johnson-Odom. Dwight’s contract would $20.5 million for next year alone, bringing the Lakers well over the $99 million they were at last year. And with penalties proving tougher to avoid, this could mean trouble. Moves have to be made.
Today Lakers Nation brings you another Historic Box Score, Magic Johnson’s legendary performance against the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 NBA Finals. In Game 6, Magic led the Lakers to the 1980 NBA championship by putting up 42 points, 15 rebounds, and acquiring seven assists after Kareem had gotten hurt. The 33rd anniversary of the performance took place just last week as the game was played on May 16, 1980.
With the Spurs and Grizzlies fighting for the Western Title, fans have been reaching out to give us their point of view on who they think will win the series. After conducting a poll on Twitter, a whopping 86% of those who responded believed the Grizzlies would come out victorious. Check out the post to see our reasons as to why either team would be a great contender for the finals.
Lakers Nation News
Phil Jackson Admits Sexual Assault Case Changed His Perception of Kobe
Phil Jackson Talks About First Lakers Hiring in New Book
TWC SportsNet to Debut Lakers Top 50 Plays Wednesday Night
Lakers News: Clippers Won’t Pursue Dwight Howard This Summer
Lakers Rumors: Kobe Bryant Announces on Twitter Desire To Write Book
Long Dwight Howard Summer Starts for Lakers, Rockets and Mavs
Historic Box Score: Magic Leads Lakers To Championship In Game 6
Lakers Nation Reacts: Who Will Represent The Western Conference?
Kobe Asked Phil Jackson For An Autograph When They First Met
Lakers News
Dwight Howard’s Free Agency is a Blessing in Disguise [Silver Screen and Roll]
Dwight Howard Rumor: Interested in Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks, According to Report [Silver Screen and Roll]
Thinking About Dwight Howard’s Next Contract [Forum Blue and Gold]
Kobe Bryant Announced “Kobe up Close” [LA Times]
Kobe Bryant and the Triangle [ESPN]
Were the (Somewhat Healthy) Lakers Elite? [Lakers Blog]
Kobe Bryant Announces August Event to Help Eradicate Homelessness [latimes.com]
Kobe Bryant: Comparison with Michael Jordan is ‘Apples to Oranges’ [The Point Forward]
Phil Jackson: Zen Master Timeline [ESPN]
Los Angeles Lakers Team Salary [Hoops World]
Dwight Howard Will Consider Multiple Teams in Free Agency, is Said to be Most Intrigued by the Rockets [ProBasketballTalk]
Staples Center, LA Live to Offer Free Wi-Fi [latimes.com]
Kobe Bryant Has No Intention of Retiring This Summer, Has Work To Do [CBS Sports]
The Work That Is Needed Will Be the Work That Is Done [Forum Blue and Gold]
Can Lakers Compete With Current Roster? [ESPN LA]
Lakers Paid $129.5 Million in Salary, Luxury Taxes for Early Exit [latimes.com]
NBA News
Dennis Rodman’s Latest And Weirdest Fashion Statement [Sports City]
New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers [ESPN]
Pacers’ Coach Frank Vogel Responds to LeBron James’ Reaction [CBS Sports]
Gasol, Splitter Key to What Teams Do Best [TrueHoop Blog]
J.R. Smith Will Re-Sign with Knicks on Four-Year Deal [Eye on Basketball]
Mayor Says Deal to Sell Sacramento Kings Has Been Signed [ESPN]
Charlotte Bobcats May Become Hornets Again [ESPN]
Larry Bird’s Faith in Lance Stephenson Pays Off for Pacers in Vital Moments Against Knicks [Yahoo! Sports]
Pacers Will Try to Leverage Size Advantage Over Dominant Heat [NBA.com]
Z-B0000000 Leaves Grizzlies Feeling Empty [Hang Time Blog]
Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonio Spurs [ESPN]
Clippers will not make futile attempt at Dwight Howard [Eye on Basketball]
Spurs Limit Touches to Make Z-Bo a No-Go [TrueHoop Blog]
Captivating Season Gives Warriors Hope for Future [Yahoo! Sports]
Thunder GM Says Team Won’t Amnesty Kendrick Perkins [ProBasketballTalk]
Bulls Guard Nate Robinson Unlikely to Return to Team Next Season [SI Tracking Blog]
Greg Oden Reportedly “Looks Unbelievable’ as He Continues to Attempt NBA Comeback [The Point Forward]
Heat-Pacers Series Preview: Who Are the Beasts of the East? [Eye on Basketball]
LeBron James Responds to Frank Vogel’s Comment on Miami Heat as ‘Just the Next Team’ [ESPN]