Kobe's contract was signed BEFORE the new CBA. It wasn't an issue then. Plus keep it real, most people watch the lakers for KOBE, go to lakers games for KOBE, when someone says lakers they think KOBE. Yall know how much revenue he brings to the Lakers? If there was no Kobe, then that new tv deal would pretty much be irrelevant cause who would watch for Bynum, Sessions, or MWP lol? I'm not saying me, seeing how i'mma Laker fan first, but that's just the general public view. Jim Buss said he's really underpaid since he brings almost 70 million to the Lakers.
If we can get Dwight, Gasol can go for 2 or 3 quality players. shyt, maybe we can get Lowry and Royce White from Houston. White is like a poor poor man's Lebron.