[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

http://tracking.si.com/2013/07/10/lakers-kobe-bryant-not-taking-pay-cut-in-2014/

His thoughts on taking a paycut from 32mi on his next contract:

“I’m not taking any at all – that’s the negotiation that you have to have.” Bryant told Lakers Nation on Wednesday. “For me to sit here and say, ‘Oh yeah, I’m just going to take a huge pay cut. Nah, I’m going to try to get as much as I possibly can.”

To be honest, if he doesn’t take a paycut, it’s going to be very difficult for the Lakers to build around him until he retires. I’m assuming he would be asking for a 2 year deal making 32m+ a year. That’s nearly 60% of the salary cap for a 35-37 year old (albeit the best 35-37 year old I’ve seen in some time).

Some Laker fans are clamoring for Bryant to take the minimum and play for about 1.5mil, which is also pretty ridiculous given his talent level.

Is there a way the Lakers can build a formidable roster while Kobe is making 32-37mil a year?

[SliderParticipant]

To be honest with you, I always hated Bryants game. To me, he’s a ball hog! If I was Kobe and wanting to win one or two more championships, then I would take less money. Make about $16-$17 million a year so the Lakers will have some cash to spend on FAs. But if he doesn’t take a pay cut, then the Lakers will be like the Cavs in LeBron’s first couple of years.NOT A REAL GOOD TEAM! But that’s my opinion.

[SliderParticipant]

To be honest with you, I always hated Bryants game. To me, he’s a ball hog! If I was Kobe and wanting to win one or two more championships, then I would take less money. Make about $16-$17 million a year so the Lakers will have some cash to spend on FAs. But if he doesn’t take a pay cut, then the Lakers will be like the Cavs in LeBron’s first couple of years.NOT A REAL GOOD TEAM! But that’s my opinion.

[GottaBeTheShoesParticipant]

In my opinion, as much as Kobe seems like a ball hog, I just think he’s an incredible competitor and tends to try to do it himself too much.

[GottaBeTheShoesParticipant]

In my opinion, as much as Kobe seems like a ball hog, I just think he’s an incredible competitor and tends to try to do it himself too much.

[jhbm24Participant]

Kobe may have said he doesn’t want to take a pay cut, but I don’t see him getting anywhere near. 30 mill after his contract is up. He’s just sayin he’s going to take as much money as possible considering his age, but I’m sure he won’t be making 30 mill, maybe 20 mill a year for 2 years.

[jhbm24Participant]

Kobe may have said he doesn’t want to take a pay cut, but I don’t see him getting anywhere near. 30 mill after his contract is up. He’s just sayin he’s going to take as much money as possible considering his age, but I’m sure he won’t be making 30 mill, maybe 20 mill a year for 2 years.

[bobbybParticipant]

exactly, I don’t think even he thinks he is getting a 30 mill plus with escalations. The 2 years at 20 mill per is probably what he should get( assuming he comes back to normal after the surgery)

[bobbybParticipant]

exactly, I don’t think even he thinks he is getting a 30 mill plus with escalations. The 2 years at 20 mill per is probably what he should get( assuming he comes back to normal after the surgery)

[Afactor4Participant]

Tim Duncan only makes $10 Mil a year. Kobe should ask for a salary similar to that. Especially if he wants to end his career by adding ring number 6 to his collection.

[Afactor4Participant]

Tim Duncan only makes $10 Mil a year. Kobe should ask for a salary similar to that. Especially if he wants to end his career by adding ring number 6 to his collection.

[Roland209Participant]

but they will come to a compromise.

[Roland209Participant]

but they will come to a compromise.

[aivsdirkParticipant]

Kobe walks in the building and has 5 rings for each finger on his shooting hand. He says to mitch, buss and whoever else is in the front office, i got 5 rings. Thats more than any other organization in history other than the boston celtics. Im still arguably the best in the game. Our team would be better if you dummies didnt hire dantoni. Either way im not going to even think about taking a pay cut. You figure out a way to bring in some talent. Nobody told you to sign steve nash for about 9mil a year and he cant even guard most of these point guards in today’s game. Im kobe, Bean, bryant, you guys take a paycut and put that money into signing some young talent. Mamba out

[aivsdirkParticipant]

Kobe walks in the building and has 5 rings for each finger on his shooting hand. He says to mitch, buss and whoever else is in the front office, i got 5 rings. Thats more than any other organization in history other than the boston celtics. Im still arguably the best in the game. Our team would be better if you dummies didnt hire dantoni. Either way im not going to even think about taking a pay cut. You figure out a way to bring in some talent. Nobody told you to sign steve nash for about 9mil a year and he cant even guard most of these point guards in today’s game. Im kobe, Bean, bryant, you guys take a paycut and put that money into signing some young talent. Mamba out

[TurnipParticipant]

….

You do know that “5 rings for each finger” would be 25 rings, right?

[TurnipParticipant]

….

You do know that “5 rings for each finger” would be 25 rings, right?

[aivsdirkParticipant]

well, when you put it that way yea, i see that but obviously you know what i meant. good sarcastic side comment though

[aivsdirkParticipant]

well, when you put it that way yea, i see that but obviously you know what i meant. good sarcastic side comment though

[TyroberParticipant]

If he wants another ring he will take a pay cut so the Lakers can add some talent around him. You’ll see next off season if he cares more about $ or championships.

[TyroberParticipant]

If he wants another ring he will take a pay cut so the Lakers can add some talent around him. You’ll see next off season if he cares more about $ or championships.

[mini_marzParticipant]

Guess u forgot the bulls got 6 rings when they had Jordan and that lebron and Durant at this point in his career are both better then him and there really isn’t a real argument against that…..

[mini_marzParticipant]

Guess u forgot the bulls got 6 rings when they had Jordan and that lebron and Durant at this point in his career are both better then him and there really isn’t a real argument against that…..

[aivsdirkParticipant]

oh yea. wow my bad how i forget the jordan bulls got 6, well, kobe says to the lakers front office i got more rings myself than any other organization besides boston and the bulls. And yea durant has westbrook, ibaka, thabo, perkins, jackson, harden, who was replaced by k-mart, who is replaced by jeremy lamb. and a whole bunch of young talent. Lebron joined, keyword, with wade and bosh, and ray allen, and mike miller, and shane battier in miami. Kobe doesnt have near the amount of help those guys have. disagree kobe still the best.

[aivsdirkParticipant]

oh yea. wow my bad how i forget the jordan bulls got 6, well, kobe says to the lakers front office i got more rings myself than any other organization besides boston and the bulls. And yea durant has westbrook, ibaka, thabo, perkins, jackson, harden, who was replaced by k-mart, who is replaced by jeremy lamb. and a whole bunch of young talent. Lebron joined, keyword, with wade and bosh, and ray allen, and mike miller, and shane battier in miami. Kobe doesnt have near the amount of help those guys have. disagree kobe still the best.

[GottaBeTheShoesParticipant]

It doesn’t matter what teammates Durant, Lebron, and Kobe have, Durant and Lebron both score more points at a higher percentage and Lebron does nearly everything better than Kobe , Lebron played with a ton of scrubs in cleveland and still managed to do incredible things, so I don’t understand the teammates argument.

[GottaBeTheShoesParticipant]

It doesn’t matter what teammates Durant, Lebron, and Kobe have, Durant and Lebron both score more points at a higher percentage and Lebron does nearly everything better than Kobe , Lebron played with a ton of scrubs in cleveland and still managed to do incredible things, so I don’t understand the teammates argument.

[PrettyBoyPeeWeeParticipant]

I thought it wasn’t about the money, hell his a$$ better take a pay cut if he wants his team to compete.

[PrettyBoyPeeWeeParticipant]

I thought it wasn’t about the money, hell his a$$ better take a pay cut if he wants his team to compete.

[DolanCareParticipant]

If Kobe doesn’t take a paycut soon, I think it should negatively affect his legacy IMO. How much a player makes has never been more important as it is today. While being an overpaid player doesn’t affect one’s on the court success, it still damages your team’s success as a whole.

Tim Duncan understood this. He is now on a contract with amazing value, and that reason more than anything has allowed the Spurs to build a contender. Resigning Tiago Splitter isn’t even in the conversation if Duncan is paid what another team would be willing to pay for him.

Kobe can still score at an elite level. But he should be recognized as one of the worst contracts in the game. It’s not his fault that the new CBA is way more restrictive on big payloads- but he should think about restructuring if his priority is ‘winning’ and his overall legacy.

[DolanCareParticipant]

If Kobe doesn’t take a paycut soon, I think it should negatively affect his legacy IMO. How much a player makes has never been more important as it is today. While being an overpaid player doesn’t affect one’s on the court success, it still damages your team’s success as a whole.

Tim Duncan understood this. He is now on a contract with amazing value, and that reason more than anything has allowed the Spurs to build a contender. Resigning Tiago Splitter isn’t even in the conversation if Duncan is paid what another team would be willing to pay for him.

Kobe can still score at an elite level. But he should be recognized as one of the worst contracts in the game. It’s not his fault that the new CBA is way more restrictive on big payloads- but he should think about restructuring if his priority is ‘winning’ and his overall legacy.

[WITNESS2014Participant]

Im starting to think Kobe is only worried about money and the scoring title. He knows 5 titles has put him among the all time greats. If he was more worried about getting his 6th ring then don’t you think he would take an immediate pay cut? Seems a little too obvious what hes worried about.

[WITNESS2014Participant]

Im starting to think Kobe is only worried about money and the scoring title. He knows 5 titles has put him among the all time greats. If he was more worried about getting his 6th ring then don’t you think he would take an immediate pay cut? Seems a little too obvious what hes worried about.

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

Kinda crazy to think Lebron will be making 10 mil less than Kobe next year.

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

Kinda crazy to think Lebron will be making 10 mil less than Kobe next year.

[HitsterParticipant]

Shaq’s contract until he was 38 was $20 million a season so I don’t see Kobe taking less than that unless the Lakers gave him at least a 3 year deal next summer. If he took $20 million a season, he could say, I’ve taken a 50% pay cut, heck that is a good gesture and I’ve freed up $10 million for FA moves.

People saying he should pay for veteran’s minimum are misguided, star players still know their worth, It would almost be like next year’s FA crop all getting together and saying we’ll take say $5 million a season each to all get on the same roster somewhere.

[HitsterParticipant]

Shaq’s contract until he was 38 was $20 million a season so I don’t see Kobe taking less than that unless the Lakers gave him at least a 3 year deal next summer. If he took $20 million a season, he could say, I’ve taken a 50% pay cut, heck that is a good gesture and I’ve freed up $10 million for FA moves.

People saying he should pay for veteran’s minimum are misguided, star players still know their worth, It would almost be like next year’s FA crop all getting together and saying we’ll take say $5 million a season each to all get on the same roster somewhere.

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

Kobe said he is going to negotiate. It is his right, but he knows he won’t get in his next contract what he is making now. He is not taking the approach that Dirk has, but it does not mean he will be holding out for $30 million.

If worst comes to worst with the negotiations, the Lakers are in a situation where because they will have so little money on the books, they can renounce his rights and still re-sign him after handling their other free agent targets first. Kobe, or at very least his agent, knows that this is the least appealing option. If the team goes about adding some combination of LeBron, Melo, Gay, Monroe, Pau, Deng, etc., then they can quickly get up to $45-50 million in salaries pretty quickly. At that point, contract negotiations get more difficult for any player.

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

Kobe said he is going to negotiate. It is his right, but he knows he won’t get in his next contract what he is making now. He is not taking the approach that Dirk has, but it does not mean he will be holding out for $30 million.

If worst comes to worst with the negotiations, the Lakers are in a situation where because they will have so little money on the books, they can renounce his rights and still re-sign him after handling their other free agent targets first. Kobe, or at very least his agent, knows that this is the least appealing option. If the team goes about adding some combination of LeBron, Melo, Gay, Monroe, Pau, Deng, etc., then they can quickly get up to $45-50 million in salaries pretty quickly. At that point, contract negotiations get more difficult for any player.

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