******* or not Kobe is not that good of an NBA player at this point low efficiency, constantly injured, takes way too many bad shots. LMA wouldn't have signed with Lakers even if Kobe is the nicest guy in the world.
Lakers are genius tankers. Kobe has the team in a lottery chokehold, but at the same time he will sell tickets because he's kobe. They have a chance for a relatively quick rebuild if they play their cards right. I bet the 76ers would love to have a Kobe.
Simple math: 1. Nobody wants to play with a superstar whose having a huge contract at the end of his career while never recovered from a serious injury 2. Kobe = a superstar whose having a huge contract at the end of his career while never recovered from a serious injury 3. Nobody wants to play with Kobe.