Kobe's new deal makes a whole lot of cents

Kobe Bryant's new deal has a couple of interesting features, including a no-trade clause, which is virtually unheard of in the NBA. He also has a 15% trade kicker and is going to get paid most of his annual salary before he ever steps on the floor.

According to the conditions of the seven-year, $136 million deal with the Lakers, he was paid 70% of this coming season's $14.2 million - $9.94 million - back on Aug. 15. A good arrangement to have considering all of his legal fees, right? In future seasons, he will get 70% of his forthcoming salary every Sept. 1, rather than receiving the conventional twice-monthly checks during the season. The deal tops out at $24.8 million in the final season, which is at his option.


wow, kobe gets his way.

he'd better get his game to another level now, cause he will be called out for each mistake now.

Posted by toodarkmark:

I think Kobe is going to become one of those "weird" celebrities. He's pushing David Coperfeild around at shows, having rough extra marital sex and denying statements he made, forcing the trades of disliked teammates.

I have a feeling this contract and choosing Kobe over Shaq is going to bite the Lakers in the ass. They should have worked some kind of way to get T McGrady under their cap next summer and kept Shaq.

great point!

Posted by PooPooPrince:

I'd rather pay Kobe 25 million than 20 million to Stephon.


Kobe is arguably the 3rd best player in the game after Duncan and Garnett.

He is worth every penny and will give you sellouts unlike Mcgrady

If I owned the Knicks, I'd happily pay both those players those salaries