EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Kobe Bryant said he plans to stay with the NBA champion Lakers even he if opts out of his contract this summer. Phil Jackson said his health will dictate whether he returns as coach.
Bryant met with Jackson and general manager Mitch Kupchak for an individual exit interview Friday.
The Finals MVP could terminate the last two years of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent July 1. He’s spent his entire 13-year career with the Lakers, winning four NBA championships. He could get a new, longer deal if he opted out, but he wouldn’t necessarily make more money.
Asked by reporters if he would opt out, Bryant said: “I’ve been deflecting that all year and I ain’t going to stop now.”
Pressed to explain, he responded: “I’m not going anywhere. I know I ain’t going nowhere, so it’s just a waste of our breaths just talking about it.”
Bryant turns 31 in August. He averaged 32.4 points, 7.4 assists and 5.6 rebounds during the Finals, when the Lakers defeated the Magic in five games.
Jackson, who turns 64 in September, said he’ll decide about next season after he gets some health issues checked out.
Yao says Cleveland move “unknown”
BEIJING — Rockets center Yao Ming has called a possible move to Cleveland an “unknown” amid rumors that the Cavaliers’ new Chinese part-owners want to sign him.
In an interview with his hometown Shanghai TV station, Yao, who has one guaranteed year left on his contract with Houston, said he continued to have “much affection” for the Rockets, the team that took him in the first round of the 2002 draft.
Rumors of a possible move to Cleveland have swirled since a group of Chinese investors signed an agreement last month with the Cavaliers to become minority owners.
“This is all an unknown,” Yao said. “I’ve already been with Houston for such a long time, I still have much affection for this team.” The Associated Press
