Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest Lakers of all-time, and him playing elsewhere is inconceivable, to say the least.
The LA Lakers think the same.
According to ESPN, the Lakers have started contract extension negotiations with the representative of the Black Mamba, with EVP of basketball operations Jim Buss saying the team wants to put an end to speculations that Bryant will play elsewhere in hopes of chasing a sixth ring.
"I want to put an end to any speculation that we would allow Kobe to become a free agent. 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," Buss was quoted as saying.
The Lakers superstar is the final year of his contract, with him earing $30 million for this season making him the highest-paid player in the NBA. Although he remains the face of the franchise, Kobe is also 35 years old and is recovering from a surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon.
How much the contract extension will be is an interesting question that will hound both parties. Bryant earlier indicated that he won't settle for a salary cut to accommodate the Lakers' hope of acquiring other elite level players who can help him and the team compete for another title.
There are only three players signed until next year in the Lakers roster- Steve Nash, Nick Young and Robert Sacre- giving the Lakers a fresh start to rebuilt its aging team. Aside from Bryant, two-time champion Pau Gasol is set to be a free agent next year.
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