SAN FRANCISCO -- After blowing his Achilles tendon last April, the future of 35-year Kobe Bryant as a fixture of the Los Angeles Lakers appeared seriously in doubt.
But all those doubts vanished yesterday when Bryant and the Lakers agreed to a two-year extension that will pay the superstar guard $25 million in the 2014-15 season and $23.5 million in 2015-16, ESPN Los Angeles reported.
Prior to the newly-minted deal, Kobe was playing out the last year of his previous contract, one that pays him $30.5 million for 2013-14, the highest among the elite athletes in the NBA.
Bryant was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996 NBA draft and was immediately traded to the Lakers. He is a one-time MVP and a five-time NBA champion. Kobe is an All-Star in 15 of his 17 NBA seasons.
"This is a very happy day for Lakers fans and the Lakers organization. We said all along our priorities and hope was to have Kobe finish his career as a Lakers, and this should ensure that that happens," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said. (JSM)
Photo: Kobe Bryant has plenty of reasons to smile after the Lakers inked him to a 2-year contract extension.
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