From a business point of view, sure, having Kobe probably brings in enough revenue to justify the contract. But the NBA has a salary cap, so big contracts don't just equate to money; they obviously have a significant impact on the team. The point is that Kobe has no right to criticize management when his contract is one of the key reasons they are handcuffed to improve the team.
How can you defend the Kobe contract? He single handedly handcuffed his team and his own chances at that 6th ring for nothing more than compensation? I laugh.
Let's say you have a guy named Joe who works at your firm. Joe brought in 5 out of 15 of the largest recorded contracts in the past 15 years which basically put your firm at the top 3 in the industry during those 15 years out of around 30 big competing firms. He's no longer really relevant or productive but he's made so much money for you and is residual doing so. Do you dump him now or do you give him a comfy desk job with a honorary job title? The latter happens all the time. I am a "Kobe hater" but perspective really helps.
Never said they should just dump him. There's a big difference between paying Kobe a more than necessary for compensation because of his meaning to the Lakers organization and egregiously overpaying him, making him the highest paid player in the league by a good margin, AND hurting your future to do so. Financially...it's not a bad contract. Kobe will justify it financially for the Lakers. But basketball-wise...just an awful, awful move.
Let's say Kobe said, "I'd like to be renewed, for the max" or even "I'd like to be renewed with you guys, whatever you're willing to pay me." How do you respond as an owner knowing what Kobe (or Joe) has done for your institution? Buss' decision as an owner is completely defensible imo - you just give the guy the max - even if there is no financial return.
Once again... Financially? Won't bother the Lakers one bit. They'll make that money back easily. Basketball-wise? Undoubtably a horrible contract. If they met somewhere more in the middle at, say, 10-12 mil per? That's fine. But 24 mil? Nahhhh
