Kobe Promises to Stay with Lakers

Kobe Bryant told reporters he will not be leaving Los Angeles anytime soon. Bryant has an option for the next season, and could opt-out if he chooses to. However, Kobe openly said both to reporters and at the victory rally that he will remain with the Lakers. He could opt-out purely to create a new contract though. Bryant sounded more concerned with the free-agency of Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza. Both were key in the playoff run, but with the salary-cap keeping both seems highly unlikely.