The Artesticle Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 Reporting from New York - Lakers forward Pau Gasol has agreed in principle to an extension that would keep him under contract through 2013-14, and Kobe Bryant has had ever-improving discussions on a contract extension that would keep him with the Lakers for the same time period. On Friday, Gasol smiled and said, "I haven't signed anything yet," but it was merely semantics, the stroke of a pen likely completing his extension within a few days after the Lakers' trip ends Sunday in Detroit, according to sources close to the negotiations but not authorized to speak publicly. Gasol, 29, made the Lakers instant championship contenders when he was acquired in February 2008 from the Memphis Grizzlies, but his current contract expires after next season. He is making $16.5 million this season and $17.8 million next season, though a three-year extension would net him an additional sum of up to $64.7 million, depending on NBA salary-cap figures to be determined in 2011. Bryant, 31, is also having positive talks with the franchise that drafted him in 1996. He is making $23 million this season and will make $24.8 million next season in the last year of his contract, but he can tack on a three-year extension worth up to $91 million, depending on future salary-cap figures. Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak declined to comment on Bryant or Gasol other than to say, "Generally speaking, we'd love to have both players finish their careers as a Laker." The Lakers have offered Bryant the most they can under salary-cap rules, but the sides are believed to be discussing smaller items such as whether the 11-time All-Star can get most of his annual salary at the start of each season, which has been the case throughout his current contract. Another sticking point possibly includes whether he can again have a no-trade clause, which came into play when he demanded a trade from the Lakers in May 2007. Bryant has declined to talk about the status of his contract extension, saying most recently he wanted to "keep my business behind closed doors." http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers-fyi19-2009dec19,0,663348.story This is sweet. Once Pau makes it official and Kobe gets his contract, our core of Pau/Kobe/Drew/Ron/LO will be locked up for years to come. Our crappy contracts like Morrison, Fish (overpayed for production) and Sasha are all gone within the next year or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owner Real Deal Posted December 19, 2009 Owner Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 It wouldn't matter if Gasol or Kobe took less money, we'd still be over the cap, and still dipping into the luxury tax threshold. Sucks, but hey, whatever needs to be done to keep the five around as long as we can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingfish Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 Thats awesome as long as we have Kobe/Pau we can rule the NBA for a long time, with several good role players coming in and especially guys that would love to play for the purple and gold and win championships in Los Angeles. Not to mention Bynum is still a 21 year old beast and still developing. No reason for anyone to leave this team now, its dynasty time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Regime Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 (edited) Dynasty!!!! A couple more championships before Kobe starts to decline. Edited December 19, 2009 by Confidence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brand New Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 Awesome. Well deserved extension given to Pau. Glad to see that he is going to stay here for the long run! Pau!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChosenOne Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 Well this team is going to great for years to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Check my Stats Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 I still think Kobe would be a complete douche to take more than he is making now. This team will have the highest payroll ever in a few years, 100 mill in their starting 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owner Real Deal Posted December 19, 2009 Owner Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 I still think Kobe would be a complete douche to take more than he is making now. This team will have the highest payroll ever in a few years, 100 mill in their starting 5.Then you're going to see a lot of douchebags soon, because everyone from LeBron and Wade, to Bosh and Carmelo, will be taking max money through their entire careers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChosenOne Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 I still think Kobe would be a complete douche to take more than he is making now. This team will have the highest payroll ever in a few years, 100 mill in their starting 5. lol why would he be a douche? Why the [expletive] would anyone say no I want 80 million instead of 100 million? only a complete dumbass would do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andreusito Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 That's a [expletive]load of money. Great move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Regime Posted December 23, 2009 Report Share Posted December 23, 2009 (edited) Audio All-Star forward Pau Gasol has signed a three-year extension with the Lakers that could be worth up to $64.7 million, the Los Angeles Times reports. The Lakers will make an announcement later Wednesday, the newspaper said. Gasol is averaging 17 points, a team-high 12.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots for the Lakers (23-4), who have the league's best record. Gasol was acquired from Memphis at the 2008 trade deadline. His new deal with the Lakers will take him through the 2013-14 season. Link Edited December 23, 2009 by Confidence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Regime Posted December 23, 2009 Report Share Posted December 23, 2009 he getting paid bank, hopefully he earns it and makes up proud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poe Posted December 23, 2009 Report Share Posted December 23, 2009 It's a lock. The Lakers are the new Bulls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingfish Posted December 24, 2009 Report Share Posted December 24, 2009 It's a lock. The Lakers are the new Bulls.u kno i lov u man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeZee Posted December 24, 2009 Report Share Posted December 24, 2009 Great news. Now it's time to get Kobe to sign on the dotted line and we're set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest California Dreamin' Posted December 25, 2009 Report Share Posted December 25, 2009 I still think Kobe would be a complete douche to take more than he is making now. This team will have the highest payroll ever in a few years, 100 mill in their starting 5.Douche? The best player in the NBA should take a pay-cut so billionaires can get richer. This team is an 8th place - lottery team without Kobe. This team won't win anything without Kobe. Kobe is the reason why people pay a lot of money to go see the Lakers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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