cyber_x

[QUOTE]Originally posted by racer chick

cyber_x

[QUOTE]Originally posted by sebrings2k

cyber_x

Personally, I think Kobe is going to leave next season. The Lakers' payroll shows that Shaq made something like $26 million this season, while Kobe made about $13 million. That's a huge discrepancy given that they are superstars of comparable caliber and at about the same phase of their contracts. But more importantly, it means that the Lakers won't be able to pay Kobe as much as Shaq, and if they want to keep both of them for the long term, they definitely aren't going to have money left to pay anyone else worth recruiting. On any other team, Kobe would be the franchise player and get paid accordingly, and IMO that's what he's going to do.

f20cpwr

Shaq wants to renegotiate his contract this summer as well. Most likely the last contract of his career. He's working on year 13 now, which is getting up there. If they cannot work something out, they might have to trade him to get something out of it. That would give them money for Kobe.

There's so many variables that play off each other though and it basically starts with the coach. If Phil goes, Shaq is not happy. So if Shaq then wants trade or can't get a new contract, Kobe might stay. If Phil stays, Shaq is happy and gets new contract, Kobe goes. Kobe's trial is far enough out that it probably doesn't play into the discussion.

INFMS

Yes, I think the real question is whether or not PHIL will stay....