Jeanie Buss doesn’t want Kobe Bryant to leave the Los Angeles Lakers.
Previously, Buss told ESPNLA 710 in a radio interview that it was important for Kobe to get healthy and not do anything that jeopardizes his future. Asked to expand on those comments by Ramona Shelburne of ESPN Los Angeles, Buss made it clear she doesn’t just want the Black Mamba to retire a Laker, but wants to ensure he never plays for anyone else.
“Kobe is part of the Laker family and he always will be,” she said. “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.”
Not exactly shocking, I know, and it’s likely her feelings are shared by everyone within the organization and Hollywood in general, but still…
Outside of him attempting to return from a torn Achilles, the Lakers are also angling toward a future offseason of change. Next summer, when Los Angeles will be flush with cap space and LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and a slew of others are slated to be available, the Lakers will look to usher in the next era of championship basketball.
Kobe is also a free agent in 2014, though. There doesn’t appear to be a conceivable scenario where the Lakers wouldn’t bring him back if he still wants to play, but there are complications that could arise.
He has already said that he isn’t planning on accepting a pay cut so that the Lakers can sign multiple superstars. That could all change, of course. Put in the situation, where it could mean luring LeBron or ‘Melo or someone else to Tinseltown, Kobe could sacrifice dollar signs in hopes of winning that sixth ring he most likely won’t procure next season.
Even if he wasn’t willing to take a (steep) pay cut, it’s tough to envision him donning a different uniform. Years ago, when he was feuding with Shaquille O’Neal or requesting a trade, it seemed plausible he would eventually be found in Detroit Pistons or Los Angeles Clippers colors. Now the mere thought of him on a different team borders on sacrilegious.
Then again, the same was said of Paul Pierce with the Boston Celtics. And look how that turned out.
Los Angeles’ situation, however, is different. Very different. The Lakers don’t rebuild in the conventional sense. They go after superstars via trades and free agency to contend year after year. They would never part ways with Kobe so that they could begin a long road back to the playoffs.
That said, their retooling could perhaps motivate much of the same. If Kobe won’t accept a decrease in salary, and the Lakers have the opportunity to sign two or more stars in their primes, do they bid goodbye to the five-time champion?
I say no, and most of you probably agree. But we can’t rule it out. Stranger things have happened and there’s no guarantee that Buss’ will be done in this regard.
Still, find solace is knowing that, more likely than not, Kobe isn’t going anywhere. Ever.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
