Kobe’s Contract to Cripple Lakers Near-Future?

Kobe Bryant may be one of the greatest 

players in NBA history, but the Lakers

overpaid their aging leader in what could 

be a franchise-crippling move.

Don’t get me wrong Eye On Sports hoops fans, I love Kobe Bryant as a player, no matter how the Los Angeles Lakers superstar shooting guard performs in his comeback from a dreaded Achilles tendon tear. However…I’m also a realist and I have to say that I am a bit stunned that the Lakers would commit a whopping $48 million to Bryant over the next two seasons, particularly knowing the precedence that has been set for players that have suffered Achilles ruptures like Bryant’s.

Having said that, let me also throw in the fact that, even without an injury, I’d be unwilling to pay Bryant that astronomical figure as he enters the final twilight of what has been a sure-fire Hall of Fame career.

Why?

It’s simple really. By committing approximately $24 million per year to Bryant over the next two seasons, it’s undoubtedly going to be tough for L.A. to surround Bryant with the type of talent he’ll need in order to overcome the Spurs, Thunder and likely the Clippers as well, over the next two seasons.

Could the Lakers theoretically still find a way to land expected free agent CarmeloAnthony in the near future?

Yes, they very well could. However, L.A. would still find itself in big economical trouble, having to surround Bryant and Anthony with a bunch of mediocre, mid-level talent that would be willing to play for something close to the league minimum. Either way, giving Bryant $24 million a year to finish his career as a Lakers legend wasn't a very bright thing to do if this franchise is serious about getting back into legitimate championship title contention.