The Los Angeles Lakers announced Monday that they had signed 35-year-old Kobe Bryant to a two-year contract extension, and ESPN's Chris Broussard reports the deal is worth a total of more than $48 million. Bryant's current deal, which is paying him $30.4 million in its final year, ends after the 2013-14 season.
Kobe Bryant contract extension reportedly worth $48.5 million over 2 years
The Los Angeles Lakers have extended Kobe Bryant for two years, and he’s expected to remain the highest-paid NBA player.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Though he's taking a salary cut, Bryant will remain as the NBA's highest-paid player. Breaking it down by year, Broussard was first of many to report that Bryant will make $23.5 million in 2014-15 and $25 million in 2015-16.
Bryant will be the highest-paid NBA player in each season but only by a little bit. Next season, New York Knicks forward Amare Stoudemire tops the NBA salary list with a contract that will pay him $23.4 million. In 2015-16, Bryant's base salary again sits about $100,000 above the second-highest salary. Joe Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets is owed $24.9 million two years down the road.
Silver Screen and Roll: More on the Lakers
The Lakers only have Steve Nash, Nick Young and Robert Sacre on the roster past this season, meaning Bryant's large salary still gives the team the ability to sign another max contract.
More from SB Nation NBA:
See More:
