The Goods Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 It wasn't long ago that Kobe Bryant reportedly wanted out of Los Angeles. He's not going anywhere now. Fresh off winning the championship, the Lakers guard decided not to exercise an early termination option in his contract and will return for the 2009-10 season, a league source told ESPN.com's Chad Ford. Bryant is scheduled to make $23 million next season by not opting out. He also has a player option to opt out of his contract in the 2010-11 season. The Lakers will work with Bryant over the summer and fall to hammer out a new, long-term extension, according to the source. After two straight first-round exits from the playoffs, Bryant requested a trade in the spring of 2007, saying that he didn't like the direction the team's rebuilding was going. The Lakers then went out and traded for big man Pau Gasol. Los Angeles increased its win total from 42 games to 57 and went to the NBA Finals, eventually losing to the Boston Celtics. The Lakers bounced back with a 65-win season in 2008-09, made it back to the Finals and beat the Orlando Magic for the title. Bryant distinguished himself by winning his first championship without Shaquille O'Neal. The duo won three from 2000-02. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4298227 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Force Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 Surprising. Now lets pretty please get Ariza and Odom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWaLL Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 There's a big surprise. Now they should be focused on getting Odom first, and then Ariza. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Next Knick Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 Surprising. He's just doing this so the trade with the Knicks comes off as shocking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Hawk Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 Shocking Indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magicbalala245 Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 Good move. Now bring in Ariza, Odom, & Nate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magicbalala245 Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 Surprising. He's just doing this so the trade with the Knicks comes off as shocking. You still dreaming Kobe will be a Knick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lkr Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 Thank god, I thought he was leaving because he was sick of management Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldChili Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 I would have been shocked if he didn't return. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren2ThaG Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 why do we even need Kobe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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