Kobe not disappointed Dwight chose Houston, talks future

Kobe Bryant is not disappointed that Dwight Howard left the Los Angeles Lakers for the Houston Rockets. Bryant was asked if he was "disappointed" by Howard's decision and responded by saying "No, I was pretty dead center," in an interview with Los Angeles Times' Melissa Rohlin.

He also reiterated his expectation of playing at least three more years, citing the San Antonio Spurs' run to the NBA Finals as inspiration.

Bryant's contract expires at the end of the 2013-2014 season, clearing $30 million in salary cap space for the Lakers. In an interview with Serena Winters of Lakers Nation, Bryant does not intend to take a paycut. "I'm not taking any at all -- that's the negotiation that you have to have," Bryant told Winters.

"Nah, I'm going to try to get as much as I possibly can."

Howard's representatives asked Lakers officials if they were "at least considering" using the amnesty on Bryant depending on the recovery timetable of his Achilles injury. Bryant is expected to have all restrictions lifted in four weeks and can then lay out his own timetable.

- Drew

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