N/H Kobe blows his Achilles...

[nolaslim213]

I saw mcnamaras tweet about the Lakers possibly amestying kobe... i seriously had to a nice laugh because anyone who thinks the lakers would ever amnesty kobe is out of their minds.... it doesnt matter if it is the wise financial move or it makes "common sense"... Kobe is the lakers and kobe could care less if the move helps the lakers out financially, kobe will not allow himself to be discredited by getting amnestied. He has too much pride and too large of an ego to ever have the word amnesty next to his name and he has too much sway within the organization for anyone in the organization to do anything about it.

Back when Dr. Buss was running things, I'd agree with you, but his son is a total wild card. He is really behind the scenes, and he doesn't seem to have the relationship with Kobe that his dad did. Steven A. Smith was talking about it this morning on ESPN, and he said he wouldn't be surprised at all because of how behind the scenes Jim Buss is.

Something to think about is how close Kobe got to Davis during the Olympics... Kobe can play SF too, just so you guys know.

[GESWhoseBack]

Back when Dr. Buss was running things, I'd agree with you, but his son is a total wild card. He is really behind the scenes, and he doesn't seem to have the relationship with Kobe that his dad did. Steven A. Smith was talking about it this morning on ESPN, and he said he wouldn't be surprised at all because of how behind the scenes Jim Buss is.

Something to think about is how close Kobe got to Davis during the Olympics... Kobe can play SF too, just so you guys know.

And point guard apparently but this is a tough injury for a player Kobe age to come back from. Dominique got it late in his career and he was never the same.

[BallSoHard]

If they amnesty Kobe, it'll be to save 90 million this year and resign him in 2014.

[BallSoHard]

And point guard apparently but this is a tough injury for a player Kobe age to come back from. Dominique got it late in his career and he was never the same.

Kobe's game is nothing like Dominique's.

[NOLa.]

Kobe and Lebron will team up in 2014.

[nolaslim213]

If they amnesty Kobe, it'll be to save 90 million this year and resign him in 2014.

Agreed with the bolded, disagree with the 2nd part. I don't see Kobe returning if they amnesty him. He has too much pride.

Kobe's game is nothing like Dominique's.

Agreed. I think the best move would be for Kobe to take a #2 role and play the SF. He can still post up most SFs in the league, and it would take a lot of pressure off him playing next to guys like Davis and Gordon. I'm not saying he's coming here if LA amnesties him, but I can see how it could happen in terms of fit.

[GESWhoseBack]

Kobe's game is nothing like Dominique's.

I'm aware of that but that's the thing I think it would harder for a guard to come back because you rely so much on quickness and explosiveness. I'm not saying Kobe can't do it but I'm just saying he may not ever be the same.

[42]

Agreed with the bolded, disagree with the 2nd part. I don't see Kobe returning if they amnesty him. He has too much pride.



Agreed. I think the best move would be for Kobe to take a #2 role and play the SF. He can still post up most SFs in the league, and it would take a lot of pressure off him playing next to guys like Davis and Gordon. I'm not saying he's coming here if LA amnesties him, but I can see how it could happen in terms of fit.

How would Kobe getting paid while injured and being called amnestied hurt his pride?

The issue would be that the Lakers would have to sign Kobe using cap room afterwards, and they may not have enough.

[nolaslim213]

How would Kobe getting paid while injured and being called amnestied hurt his pride?

The issue would be that the Lakers would have to sign Kobe using cap room afterwards, and they may not have enough.

Me, personally, I'd go back to the Lakers no problem because it's a business move for them, and I'd understand that. But Kobe is the ultimate competitor. In reality, he has earned the Lakers WAY more than $30 million, so in his mind, he should collect. If they want to cut him to save money and bring him back on a cheaper deal, I just don't see Kobe being okay with that. It's not just about the money. It's about the principle.

That's all speculation on my part just based on my perception of Kobe's personality from what I see on TV.

[42]

He will collect the same. Amnesty does not affect the player's pocketbook. It affect the cap space and tax bill.

They could only bring him back after the current deal expires anyway (expires after next season), and they have to negotiate that regardless. Not having his Bird Rights could affect those negotiations.

ETA:

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q67

The waiving team continues to pay the remainder of the player's salary -- any portion that is not paid by the claiming team1. For example, the New York Knicks amnestied Chauncey Billups in 2011 with one year remaining on his contract for $14.2 million. The Los Angeles Clippers submitted the only bid, for $2,000,032. The Clippers paid Billups the amount of their bid, with the Knicks responsible for the remaining $12,199,968. This system (plus the rules for minimum bids, as described below) helps ensure that the waiving team doesn't have to pay the player more than they would have paid had they waived their player without amnesty.

Just a snippet. There is more at the link.

[nolaslim213]

He will collect the same. Amnesty does not affect the player's pocketbook. It affect the cap space and tax bill.

They could only bring him back after the current deal expires anyway (expires after next season), and they have to negotiate that regardless. Not having his Bird Rights could affect those negotiations.

Right, that's my point. It's not just about the money. It's about the principle of being cut. If they amnesty him, couldn't any other team under the cap claim him? So if they did amnesty him, he'd be playing for another team anyway.

[BeeBall Reasons]

No way Kobe get's amnestied. A team like us would pay him the max just to put fans in the seats LA can't amnesty him and retain him. It won't happen they'll just have to show the money.

Also they want to prove a point to future stars. It's all about making themselves a marketable franchise.

[Inner_GI]

Yes he could play for another team next year if they amnesty him, but he's out for likely 9 months. They would not get a lot of Kobe on their team, and I doubt he comes back from Achilles at 35 playing lights out. I could envision, Kobe not playing at all next year and making his last run/farewell season in 2014-2015.

If the Lakers are smart they amnesty Kobe.

[Inner_GI]

No way Kobe get's amnestied. A team like us would pay him the max just to put fans in the seats LA can't amnesty him and retain him. It won't happen they'll just have to show the money.

Also they want to prove a point to future stars. It's all about making themselves a marketable franchise.

A team like us would not pay him the max. Especially when you won't be playing again until January in 2014.

[AD23forMVP]

90M?

[BallSoHard]

90M?

30 million plus repeater tax. Think they said it comes up at around 90 next year.

[BallSoHard]

How would Kobe getting paid while injured and being called amnestied hurt his pride?

The issue would be that the Lakers would have to sign Kobe using cap room afterwards, and they may not have enough.

They only have nash signed in 2014. Theoretically they sign Dwight an have enough for Kobe still. This is all theoretical.

Also nolaslim. I'm assuming they'd talk to Kobe beforehand about it. He still makes 30 for being amnestied sits out the year and rehabs and comes back. Don't think it'll be a pride thing.

[42]

Right, that's my point. It's not just about the money. It's about the principle of being cut. If they amnesty him, couldn't any other team under the cap claim him? So if they did amnesty him, he'd be playing for another team anyway.

Who would pay a dime to him when he could very well miss all of next season?

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...-is-11-months/

This is about football, but it says the actual time to return to action is 11 months.

http://www.med.umich.edu/ortho/patie...LES-TENDON.pdf

This indicates a minimum of 6 months to even get back into playing.

What is allowed medically after surgery and when:

http://www.massgeneral.org/ortho/ser...20protocol.pdf

They are reporting 6-9 months, which means he could play next season, but is that worth the cost to the Lakers? At some point they need to change focus, and Kobe won't be Kobe on the court ever again, at least consistently.

The bringing him back will be tough without his Bird Rights, but the Lakers have some tough choices ahead of them.

[42]

They only have nash signed in 2014. Theoretically they sign Dwight an have enough for Kobe still. This is all theoretical.

Also nolaslim. I'm assuming they'd talk to Kobe beforehand about it. He still makes 30 for being amnestied sits out the year and rehabs and comes back. Don't think it'll be a pride thing.

They have to fill out the roster, too. It all depends on how they play this year and how much Kobe wants. And where the cap is set.

Nash and Dwight will chew up $30m+. If Kobe gets at least $10m, then they need to fill out the roster this year taking under $20m in salary to any other players going forward. If they have a draft pick that season, they have to deal with that cap hold as well.

It's not an easy puzzle, and it gets harder if Kobe (and other GM's) thinks he's worth $15m, $20m, $30m.

[BallSoHard]

They have to fill out the roster, too. It all depends on how they play this year and how much Kobe wants. And where the cap is set.

Nash and Dwight will chew up $30m+. If Kobe gets at least $10m, then they need to fill out the roster this year taking under $20m in salary to any other players going forward. If they have a draft pick that season, they have to deal with that cap hold as well.

It's not an easy puzzle, and it gets harder if Kobe (and other GM's) thinks he's worth $15m, $20m, $30m.

That's true. They can go the Dallas route next year and just sign everyone to 1 year deals as well. Even after amnestying Kobe though, it's not like they'll be under the cap next year unless they rid themselves of gasol and take back nothing basically. Honestly looking at it, I'm not sure Dwight will want to wait 2 years to be a contender again.

It will be interesting to monitor. For Kobe, I don't think it would be that big of a stretch for him to be reasoned with to save the franchise 40-60 million in lux tax (not sure the actual figure) and still let him get paid 30 for rehabbing.

[BeeBall Reasons]

Don't take what I say literally. but some team will float at least the vet min his way even if he doesn't play at all. It's about marketing. Simply having Kobe on the roster is huge. I know it makes no sense from a basketball standpoint but they can legally acquire him after he is amnestied. Kobe isn't going to play for another team ever. That doesn't mean you can't have him on the roster and sell his jersey. It's weird to think about but I could see a team like us doing it, building the Pelicans hype regardless.

[Inner_GI]

Don't take what I say literally. but some team will float at least the vet min his way even if he doesn't play at all. It's about marketing. Simply having Kobe on the roster is huge. I know it makes no sense from a basketball standpoint but they can legally acquire him after he is amnestied. Kobe isn't going to play for another team ever. That doesn't mean you can't have him on the roster and sell his jersey. It's weird to think about but I could see a team like us doing it, building the Pelicans hype regardless.

This team is the furthest from that consideration. I can see a stupid organization doing something like that, but I like to think we have a FO focused on winning. Not selling jerseys. That's for the marketers and we have AD to market.

[42]

Don't take what I say literally. but some team will float at least the vet min his way even if he doesn't play at all. It's about marketing. Simply having Kobe on the roster is huge. I know it makes no sense from a basketball standpoint but they can legally acquire him after he is amnestied. Kobe isn't going to play for another team ever. That doesn't mean you can't have him on the roster and sell his jersey. It's weird to think about but I could see a team like us doing it, building the Pelicans hype regardless.

Jersey sales are shared. The Hornets, Bucks, and Lakers get the same for every Kobe jersey sold.

[nolaslim213]

Who would pay a dime to him when he could very well miss all of next season?

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...-is-11-months/

This is about football, but it says the actual time to return to action is 11 months.

http://www.med.umich.edu/ortho/patie...LES-TENDON.pdf

This indicates a minimum of 6 months to even get back into playing.

What is allowed medically after surgery and when:

http://www.massgeneral.org/ortho/ser...20protocol.pdf

They are reporting 6-9 months, which means he could play next season, but is that worth the cost to the Lakers? At some point they need to change focus, and Kobe won't be Kobe on the court ever again, at least consistently.

The bringing him back will be tough without his Bird Rights, but the Lakers have some tough choices ahead of them.

I think we'd pay him just to mentor guys like Davis and Rivers. They could see his work habbits, rehabbing, studying film, how he approaches his day, along with his nutrition. That stuff is invaluable. I'd pay him $10 million just for that, and then come off season, we either re-sign him, or we have $10 million coming off the books. If we make the playoffs, then we have Kobe freaking Bryant on our side.

The Bird Rights is a great point. If they amnesty him, they lose it, so they literally can't re-sign him unless they are WAY under the cap. After Howard's deal, I don't see it happening.

[42]

I don't think that is something the Pelicans can afford since you have to sign amnesty guys with cap space, and they may have long term plans for that.

Plus, these guys have some say over where they go even in the amnesty process.