Though Kobe didn’t start with the Lakers that’s where he built his legacy. Now that he’s coming to the end of his journey I don’t think anyone wants to see him don any jersey other than a Laker one, including Lakers executive Vice President Jeanie Buss. Read more after the jump.
After his monstrous $30 million contract is up next year, Kobe Bryant will become a free agent. He can leave and sign anywhere but it’s doubtful that he will; and although he said he’s not willing to take a significant drop in salary it’s expected that he and the Lakers will come to some sort of an agreement as they will try to go after big free agents to join him.
But just to make sure there is more groundwork laid, Jeanie Buss — one of the key parts of the Buss family ownership of the Lakers — told ESPN Radio in Los Angeles this week they want him to stay in the family his entire career, as reported by Ramona Shelburne at ESPNLosAngeles.com.
“I want Kobe to take the time that he needs to get healthy,” Buss said Thursday in a radio interview with ESPNLA 710. “I don’t want to see him come back any sooner than when he’s ready, and I know he’ll know when that is. There’s no reason for him to do anything that compromises his health.”
Later, when asked by ESPNLosAngeles.com to expand on that comment, Buss said, “Kobe is part of the Laker family and he always will be. There’s not many players who play 18-19 years with the same franchise, and it’s important to us that he has a chance to play his entire career with the Lakers.”
