By Frank Hughes
Though the focus of this summer's free agency is squarely on LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, a theory is circulating through NBA circles that involves another MVP candidate.
Because it seems a foregone conclusion that Kobe Bryant will return to the Lakers for the final year of his contract, his name has rarely been mentioned alongside other stars potentially on the move.
But as coach Phil Jackson's contract situation continues to drag on, and as Bryant has failed to sign an extension that would allow him to end his career as a Laker, some executives are beginning to speculate that if Bryant believes the team is no longer willing to commit financially to success, he may opt out of the final year of his contract and go elsewhere.
The primary destination: New York.
"I could see that happening," one general manager told SI.com. "But I couldn't see both Kobe and LeBron ending up in New York at the same time. Two alpha personalities are not going to be able to play together."
Perhaps, but if James stays in Cleveland, the Knicks could possibly put together a lineup that features Bryant, Bosh, Tracy McGrady (if he re-signs for a fraction of his $22.5 million salary), Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler.
As difficult as it is to imagine, landing Bryant would be plan B for New York. Based on their actions, the Knicks have made it clear their first option in the 2010 free-agent bonanza is James. The 25-year-old is at the height of his career -- a career that seemingly has no bounds -- and he's used his star power to leverage multiple lucrative marketing opportunities. A perfect fit for Madison Avenue.
As for Bryant, as well as he continues to play, his 31-year-old body is sure to catch up to him soon. Bryant, in his 14th season, has gone to the NBA Finals six times, winning four. The 159 playoff games he has played constitute two additional seasons, not to mention the international games in which he has participated for the U.S. Olympic team.
"He does so much for us, it takes a lot out of him," teammate Derek Fisher said. "So he has to come to the games earlier so that he can get his workouts in and get wrapped up in time. But that's what happens when you get a little bit older. That's the part he won't necessarily give in to. That's the part he's not yet ready to admit. Got to get your body going a little bit earlier."
Bryant's value, regardless of age, is undeniable. And when paired with a second, younger star, Bryant is a good second option if the Knicks -- who have unloaded several contracts to reserve more than $30 million in salary-cap space -- cannot lure LeBron.
What's more, Bryant has close ties with coach Mike D'Antoni, who played in Italy with Kobe's father, Joe. Kobe grew up watching D'Antoni, then considered Italy's Michael Jordan.
Bryant has avoided discussing his ability to opt out of his contract this season. He took enough of a hit when he asked to be traded in 2007 and does not want to raise that type of distraction again as the Lakers attempt to repeat.
The primary reason Bryant would choose not to leave, besides the fact that he has spent his entire career with Los Angeles, is that if he opts out of his final year, he could sacrifice more than $8 million by taking a $16.5 million first-year salary with the Knicks, as well as the money he could lose in raises by signing an extension with the Lakers.
However, he also could sign a five-year deal for the remainder of his career, however long that is. Over the past few seasons, he said he cannot envision playing to pursue Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's scoring record of 38,387 points. Bryant, who has scored at least 2,200 points in each of the previous four seasons, has 25,612.
In December, Pau Gasol signed a contract extension with the Lakers through 2013-14. At the time, the Los Angeles Times reported that Bryant's negotiations on a three-year, extension worth up to $91 million were going well. But he has yet to sign the deal.
Perhaps owner Jerry Buss is waiting to see if the Lakers win another title before committing to Jackson, who is making a reported $12 million this season. Perhaps Bryant is waiting for Buss to commit to Jackson before he commits to Buss.
And perhaps this is where the Knicks can take advantage.
Bosh, for one, said he cannot see the Lakers putting Bryant in a position where he would want to leave, no matter how little Buss likes spending money on anything other than player salaries.
"I doubt they'll piss off Kobe," Bosh said. "That would be a bad decision. And I don't think they are bad business people. Would you let Kobe go?"
But what if Bryant's leaving is not a Lakers decision?
"Yeah, it is their decision," Bosh said. "He says what he wants and I think it is on them to meet his demands. They are not bad business people; I doubt they'll let him go."
Though the focus of this summer's free agency is squarely on LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, a theory is circulating through NBA circles that involves another MVP candidate.
Because it seems a foregone conclusion that Kobe Bryant will return to the Lakers for the final year of his contract, his name has rarely been mentioned alongside other stars potentially on the move.
But as coach Phil Jackson's contract situation continues to drag on, and as Bryant has failed to sign an extension that would allow him to end his career as a Laker, some executives are beginning to speculate that if Bryant believes the team is no longer willing to commit financially to success, he may opt out of the final year of his contract and go elsewhere.
The primary destination: New York.
"I could see that happening," one general manager told SI.com. "But I couldn't see both Kobe and LeBron ending up in New York at the same time. Two alpha personalities are not going to be able to play together."
Perhaps, but if James stays in Cleveland, the Knicks could possibly put together a lineup that features Bryant, Bosh, Tracy McGrady (if he re-signs for a fraction of his $22.5 million salary), Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler.
As difficult as it is to imagine, landing Bryant would be plan B for New York. Based on their actions, the Knicks have made it clear their first option in the 2010 free-agent bonanza is James. The 25-year-old is at the height of his career -- a career that seemingly has no bounds -- and he's used his star power to leverage multiple lucrative marketing opportunities. A perfect fit for Madison Avenue.
As for Bryant, as well as he continues to play, his 31-year-old body is sure to catch up to him soon. Bryant, in his 14th season, has gone to the NBA Finals six times, winning four. The 159 playoff games he has played constitute two additional seasons, not to mention the international games in which he has participated for the U.S. Olympic team.
"He does so much for us, it takes a lot out of him," teammate Derek Fisher said. "So he has to come to the games earlier so that he can get his workouts in and get wrapped up in time. But that's what happens when you get a little bit older. That's the part he won't necessarily give in to. That's the part he's not yet ready to admit. Got to get your body going a little bit earlier."
Bryant's value, regardless of age, is undeniable. And when paired with a second, younger star, Bryant is a good second option if the Knicks -- who have unloaded several contracts to reserve more than $30 million in salary-cap space -- cannot lure LeBron.
What's more, Bryant has close ties with coach Mike D'Antoni, who played in Italy with Kobe's father, Joe. Kobe grew up watching D'Antoni, then considered Italy's Michael Jordan.
Bryant has avoided discussing his ability to opt out of his contract this season. He took enough of a hit when he asked to be traded in 2007 and does not want to raise that type of distraction again as the Lakers attempt to repeat.
The primary reason Bryant would choose not to leave, besides the fact that he has spent his entire career with Los Angeles, is that if he opts out of his final year, he could sacrifice more than $8 million by taking a $16.5 million first-year salary with the Knicks, as well as the money he could lose in raises by signing an extension with the Lakers.
However, he also could sign a five-year deal for the remainder of his career, however long that is. Over the past few seasons, he said he cannot envision playing to pursue Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's scoring record of 38,387 points. Bryant, who has scored at least 2,200 points in each of the previous four seasons, has 25,612.
In December, Pau Gasol signed a contract extension with the Lakers through 2013-14. At the time, the Los Angeles Times reported that Bryant's negotiations on a three-year, extension worth up to $91 million were going well. But he has yet to sign the deal.
Perhaps owner Jerry Buss is waiting to see if the Lakers win another title before committing to Jackson, who is making a reported $12 million this season. Perhaps Bryant is waiting for Buss to commit to Jackson before he commits to Buss.
And perhaps this is where the Knicks can take advantage.
Bosh, for one, said he cannot see the Lakers putting Bryant in a position where he would want to leave, no matter how little Buss likes spending money on anything other than player salaries.
"I doubt they'll piss off Kobe," Bosh said. "That would be a bad decision. And I don't think they are bad business people. Would you let Kobe go?"
But what if Bryant's leaving is not a Lakers decision?
"Yeah, it is their decision," Bosh said. "He says what he wants and I think it is on them to meet his demands. They are not bad business people; I doubt they'll let him go."
