Kobe Bryant is officially set to play for the Los Angeles Lakers for two more seasons. The All-Star quietly agreed to a contract extension on Monday that will likely see him finish out his career with the same team he started it with. So how does this new contract play into the Lakers free agency plans?
According to ESPN.com, Bryant signed a deal that will pay him $48.5 million over two years. He will continue on as the league's highest paid player, narrowing out Amar'e Stoudemire and Joe Johnson. Bryant naturally took to Twitter to say "Laker for life" after signing the deal. General manager Mitch Kupchak released a statement expressing his excitement over the team retaining the top star.
"This is a very happy day for Lakers fans and for the Lakers organization," Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak said in a statement. "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."
So what does this mean for the team moving forward? The Lakers have not been shy about intending on pursuing at least one super star free agent this summer. Many believed they would go after current New York Knick, Carmelo Anthony. The forward and Bryant have positive history together and could win a championship while working in tandem.
However, the contract signed by Bryant throws a wrench into that plan. Bryant's contract eats up plenty of salary cap space. According to salary expert Larry Coon, the Lakers will be left with $22.2 million in cap space for 2014 if the cap is set at $64 million like it is assumed to be. The Lakers would also have to let all of their free agents walk away next summer, including Pau Gasol.
According to Coon, the Lakers would have to waive a player with a non-guaranteed contract plus drop Steve Nash in order to sign Anthony to a max deal of $96 million over four years. They could also get a mid-level free agent, leaving the team with the two stars, two free agents and a first round draft pick. The remaining roster spots would go to players signed to a veteran's minimum contract.
This certainly bodes well for the Knicks. That situation is likely not enough to get Anthony to leave New York. The team can offer him a contract that is one year longer and $33 million more in salary. The issue will be whether or not Anthony wants to team up with Bryant, a 36-year-old who has yet to play this season after an Achilles injury.
