After a story leaked yesterday that the Lakers would allow Kobe to become a free agent and then used any leftover money to try to re-sign him didn’t go over well with fans, Jim Buss released this statement.
“I want to put an end to any speculation that we would allow Kobe to become a free agent,” Buss told ESPNLosAngeles.com on Friday night. “That’s not going to happen. Kobe is a top priority for us. He’s a Laker legend and always will be. I don’t think we’re done winning championships with him yet.
“[Lakers general manager] Mitch Kupchak and [Bryant’s agent] Rob Pelinka have been talking, but with him being hurt, it has slowed the process some. I don’t know when it’ll get done, but I have faith in Rob and Mitch to work things out.”
It could go either way at this point. I am not 100% convince an extension gets done, at least until the Lakers see how Bryant comes back from his Achilles injury.