Los Angeles Lakers Q&A With Jacob Rude

Jan 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) against the New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham (44) during a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Lakers 96-80. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

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Adam: It was controversial at the time, but now following yet another injury how do you view Kobe’s contract? You can’t expect him to turn it down, but should the organization have known better than to offer such a lucrative deal?

Jacob: The contract will be debated until he retires and onward. Without a doubt, it was a sort of legacy deal: paying Bryant for what he’s done more than what he’s going to do. The front office, dating back to the time under Dr. Jerry Buss, has always been built on the idea of a family.

The Lakers were never going to let Bryant leave and join another team and Bryant was never going to go title chasing, contrary to the narrative fans and media want to write and talk about.

Was the contract too much? Probably. The timing of the matter didn’t help, considering he hadn’t played a game post-Achilles surgery before agreeing to the deal. But it further solidifies the point that the Lakers take care of their own. It also sends a message to future free agents that LA will take care of you once you sign with them.

The Lakers also had a sense that their title window had closed and that this transition period would exist, although maybe not to the extent that it has been. Injuries, not just to Bryant, but to players like Steve Nash, Xavier Henry, and Pau Gasol. The Lakers needed Bryant to stay the face of the franchise and be both a promoter to free agents and a mentor to rookies.

All this wrapped up, I don’t think any realistic Lakers fans would be upset with the contract. They were never going to land the likes of Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James. Nor do I see them having much of a shot at free agents this year. He didn’t ruin anything of the Lakers free agent plans.

Next: Is Jordan Clarkson The Point Guard LA Needed To Find?