I thought Kobe was getting his “just desserts” when he signed his last contract extension. Instead it’s been an unmitigated disaster, mainly because all the things the Lakers were betting on came up snake eyes.
Two years ago one of the NBA’s greatest franchise struck a deal with one of the league’s greatest players ever. Today? It’s one of the worst contracts in the history of the NBA.
In 2013, the Lakers gave Kobe an extension worth $48.5 million over two years. Not only has Bryant been unable to live up to it on the court, but off it the mammoth dollar figure has essentially killed the Lakers flexibility and ability to rebuild on the fly like they’d hoped to. Of course, Bryant himself has a lot do with that, too. More on that shortly.
Already 35 when he put ink to paper, Bryant’s new contract ensured he’d remain the NBA’s highest-paid player. Though far removed from his 2007-08 MVP status, he received $23.5 million in the first year of the deal and will take home $25 million this coming season.
Technically Kobe is actually underpaid, but that’s because the owners have killed the players in CBA negotiations by having the salary cap deflate player salaries, meaning marquee players will never earn a salary proportionate to the revenue they generate for their team.
But as far as the basketball court is concerned, it’s a bad deal. Bryant was coming off of an Achilles injury, one of the most devastating ailments for an athlete in a sport where jumping and cutting is mandatory. When Kobe put pen to paper, the Lakers hadn’t even seen him play post surgery.
Did Kobe maintain his high level of play at his advancing age? No. Instead, he posted his career worst field goal percentage (37.3) which happens to be the worst in the last 50 seasons for a player who averaged at least 20 points per game.
Did fans continue to come out to Staples Centre because the “Black Mamba” is a big ticket player? No. Their 320-game sell out streak at Staples ended in 2013. Last season, the Lakers finished 11th in NBA attendance this year behind their co-tenants the Clippers (9) and your beloved Raptors (5).
Did the Lakers continue to win with one of the greatest competitors in sports refusing to let them lose? No. The Lakers haven’t done much winning lately, with or without Kobe. They were in the lottery each of the last two years with a record 68 games below .500 in that span. Even when they did win, Kobe was barely a part of it, posting just 0.1 win shares last season, among the worst in the league.
Did he defy father time and stay healthy? No. In fact, he’s been injured at a faster rate and has had three straight season ending injuries.
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Since he’s re-signed in LA, Bryant has earned just under 40% of the Lakers’ salary. Over the last two years he’s played just 41 of LA’s 164 games. When you consider he’s made just under $54 million in the last two years, needless to say the $1.3 million per game he actually suits up for is not a good return on investment.
Did Bryant’s presence and the fact the Lakers were loyal to their prodigal son attract impending free agents? Nope.
They were clearing cap space to lure the next Lakers legend. That was going to be the franchise’s superstar succession play. Lebron James never even met with the Lakers. Kobe refused to return from vacation when Carmelo Anthony met the Lakers’ brass. Dwight Howard had a drama-filled taste of Kobe’s Lakers and left without asking for seconds, as did Pau Gasol. This offseason Kevin Love wasn’t interested and they infamously missed out on LaMarcus Aldridge, as Bryant was reportedly non-communicative during the pitch meeting.
Kobe’s contract is an albatross in recruitment. With Kobe on the roster making $25 million, they can only offer one max level player (paying around $23 million). With Kobe off the books, they could offer two max players a combined $48 million a year. Imagine going to Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love and saying you can split $48 million and rekindle your UCLA friendship down the street from Pauley Pavilion?
This is important to note because in the new free spending world in the NBA with the cap about to rise, every team has future cap space, meaning all elite free agents will get the max they are owed. No longer will stars like the Heat’s “big 3” have to take “haircuts” to fit everyone under the cap to play with each other. The deciding factor is who has cap space to fit multiple players under the cap and who can guarantee you a chance to win. The Lakers, being held back by Bryant, can’t guarantee either.
In contrast, thanks to Dirk Nowitzki’s financial sacrifice, Chandler Parsons was able to wine and dine Wesley Matthews and DeAndre Jordan to come to big D without them having to forfeit big dollars.
For the Lakers, it’s not just the math but the marriage with Kobe that has reportedly been the reason NBA players have stopped signing with the Lake show. Aldridge’s about-turn has fanned the flames that the modern day player doesn’t want to play with Kobe. Ever since his public spat with Shaquille O’Neal there’s been a perception that “the Mamba” doesn’t play well in the sandbox. He publicly chastised Pau Gasol at times, even going as far as telling Pau via the media in 2012, “Put your big-boy pants on,” with regards to finding his role on the team. It was reported that Aldridge was turned off by Kobe in their meeting and his assertion Aldridge could be his new Pau. If that means the new whipping boy I wouldn’t be thrilled either.
Kobe has openly played into this narrative, playing up the “old guy unimpressed with his teammates” persona on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Before his meeting with Aldridge, Kobe was at his demonstrative best. “Friends can come and go, but banners hang forever,” he told Jemele Hill. He went on to say, “There are certain players that I’ve made cry. If I can make you cry by being sarcastic, then I really don’t want to play with you in the playoffs.” Well, he hasn’t hung any banners in a while and he won’t have to worry about making the playoffs he if he doesn’t change his approach.
It is no coincidence Bryant was not in attendance when the Lakers tried to save face with Aldridge in their second meeting.
It seems every off-season players are taking less to play with LeBron, and you could argue Draymond Green took a bit less to stay with his good friend Steph Curry. Both stars are willing passers and known for treating teammates with lavish gifts.
Free agents, however, are going out of their way to not play with Kobe Bean Bryant.
Because of the way it’s emboldened him to call all the shots and because of his penchant to take them all, too, Kobe’s contract has had the exact opposite effect it was intended to. Signed as a shot in the dark to keep the Lakers relevant, it has now cast a shadow over the future of the franchise.
