Kobe Bryant signed a two-year extension with the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday. The deal is worth $48.5 million, which keeps Bryant as one of the highest-paid players in the NBA.
Bryant has played for the Lakers for more than half of his career. If he fulfills his contract, then he will break John Stockton’s record of 19 seasons with an NBA franchise. Bryant has yet to play this season after tearing his Achilles tendon in April, and the Lakers wanted to renew his contract before he became a free agent next summer, according to the Associated Press. He will take a pay cut from his $30.45 million salary this season.
''This is a very happy day for Lakers fans and for the Lakers organization,'' Lakers general manager 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.''
Bryant and point guard Steve Nash are the only players that have signed big contracts with the Lakers for next season. The Lakers are looking at major roster changes for 2014. With Bryant’s contract, the Lakers could have $28.46 million in salary cap space next summer, according to the Los Angeles Times. The Lakers could waive Nash and stretch his $9.7 million salary, which would cost them only $3.23 million in cap space next season.
Bryant, who is the fourth-leading scorer in NBA history, was acquired by the Lakers after the Charlotte Hornets drafted him in the 1996 draft. From 2000 to 2002 he won three championships. He also won championships in 2009 and 2010. His only NBA MVP award came in 2008 and he won his scoring titles in 2006 and 2007. Bryant has had 15 selections to the All-Star game and has won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S. national team. Earlier this month Bryant returned to practice and Laker coach Mike D’Antoni said that he can return when he says he’s ready.