Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, said the Los Angeles Lakers may have to consider amnestying Kobe Bryant in the off-season, via Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas:
"If you look at their payroll, even if Dwight (Howard) comes back, you’ve got to ask the question: Should they amnesty Kobe?"
Wait, what?
Cuban was talking on ESPN radio in Dallas and made a bold statement as he often does. His rationale? Kobe's $30.4 million contract is quite a hefty price tag next season, but he has been the face of the franchise for a decade and is in the all-time great list. Not to mention he is still playing at high level. Cuban then went on to talk about his "commitment" to Dirk Nowitzki and how he wouldn't get rid of Nowitzki.
So, Cuban A) says the Lakers should potentially consider amnestying Kobe, the face of their franchise and a player they have been committed to then B) discusses how he's "committed" to his franchise player in Nowitzki and that he's willing to take a hit for a season to retain him, via Tim MacMahon:
"You just don’t know, right?" said Cuban, whose Mavs avoided the luxury tax the last two years despite Dirk Nowitzki's $20-plus million salary by letting Tyson Chandler and other key pieces of the 2011 title team leave in free agency. "It’s the same reason I wouldn’t get rid of Dirk (Nowitzki). I’ll take a hit for a season rather than get rid of Dirk. That’s just it. I’ve made that commitment to him over the years and he’s returned that commitment. Maybe that’s selfish, but that’s just the way it is.
Is Cuban being Cuban a thing yet? If not, this is a great case to start it. The Lakers visit the Mavericks Sunday in a nationally televised game.
- Drew
- Follow this author on Twitter @DrewGarrisonSBN
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