Kobe Bryant Discusses Financial Future With Lakers

—————————————————————————————————————–

Kobe Bryant Dwight Howard’s departure left Lakers fans wondering what the future of the Lakers would entail. With the Lakers signing one-year veteran minimum deals this offseason, it’s accurate to say that the Lakers are preparing for rebuilding mode in 2014.  There’s one big problem. Would Kobe Bryant be willing to take a huge pay cut, possibly a one-year minimum salary worth $1.45 million, the ultimate financial sacrifice, to give the Lakers the best chance to rebuild?

—–Check out the Lakers Nation store to get your LN gear and show off your Lakers pride!——

Not so fast. Kobe bleeds purple and gold, but he’s also a very smart businessman, who had this to say when describing his business hat come 2014.

“I’m not taking any at all – that’s the negotiation that you have to have.” Kobe Bryant told Lakers Nation  in an exclusive interview at his Kobe Basketball Academy 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.”

If you were hoping Kobe would think about taking a minimum salary in 2014, think again. Both Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are examples of veterans who sacrificed more than half their salaries (not minimums) for their teams, but Kobe is a different breed – a financially savvy individual. Bryant also said the business side is always “strange” and “uncomfortable” for athletes, who find themselves in situations where they will get “backlashed, inevitably.”

Bryant though, isn’t afraid of the backlash, and he never has been. Both on and off the court, where others find themselves uncomfortable, Kobe thrives.

At the moment, Steve Nash is the only player on the books for the 2014-2015 season of rebuilding. A maximum salary for Bryant ($32 million) would not leave the Lakers with the necessary financial tools to truly rebuild, especially with potential free agents like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony available in one year’s time.

Don’t count out the idea of Kobe taking a pay cut, just don’t expect it to be as big as you were hoping.

—————————————————————————————————————–

Check Out Our Photo Gallery From The Camp!

[new_royalslider id=”30″]

You May Also Like

Spurs’ Gregg Popovich Named NBA Coach of the Year

As we progress further into the playoffs, more and more of the…

Lakers News: Nike Unveils LeBron James Innovation Center

Nike has unveiled the LeBron James Innovation Center, which will serve as the new epicenter of the brand’s efforts in sports…

Lakers News: Luke Walton Pleased With LeBron James, Rajon Rondo Coaching Young Core While Not Playing

With the Los Angeles Lakers prioritizing health, LeBron James and Rajon Rondo were among the players who did not play…

Lakers News: Team’s Draft Pick Unlikely To Fall Out Of Top 10

[new_royalslider id=”140″] After Friday night’s tough loss to the San Antonio Spurs,…