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Denver Post
Bryant on Nuggets' free-agent wish list
Interest will depend on outcome of sex-assault trial, sources say
By Marc J. Spears
Denver Post Sports Writer
AP file
The Lakers can offer Kobe Bryant the most money with a seven-year, $141 million offer. The next best would be $98 million.
LOS ANGELES - The Denver Nuggets will pursue prospective free agent Kobe Bryant after this season, assuming the Los Angeles Lakers superstar is found not guilty in his sexual assault trial, NBA sources confirmed to The Denver Post on Saturday.
Although Bryant was booed by fans at the Pepsi Center during a game Jan. 7 and he still faces court proceedings in his sexual assault case in Eagle County, NBA sources say all the drama surrounding Bryant wouldn't keep the Nuggets from pursuing him if he becomes an unrestricted free agent, as expected, this summer.
Behind closed doors, the team is keeping an open mind on his situation, awaiting the outcome of the trial, NBA sources said.
During an interview session at the 2004 NBA All-Star Game, Bryant didn't dismiss the possibility of considering the team's overtures when asked if he would close the door on the Nuggets if they knocked during the offseason. But Bryant also was noncommittal.
"I'm not even thinking about it, man," Bryant said during Friday's all-star media session. "This summer when things roll out, then we'll talk about it. But until then, that is something I'm not going to do."
Bryant is averaging a team-best 21.5 points per game, has three championship rings with the Lakers and is a six-time all-star. Since he is expected to become an unrestricted free agent this summer by opting out of his contract, tonight's NBA All-Star Game at the Staples Center could be his last in a Lakers uniform.
Reports swirled throughout the media last week that Bryant is expected to go elsewhere.
"That's just not true," said Bryant, 25. "I want to be a Laker for the rest of my life. That hasn't changed. I've been a Laker fan since I was 6. It's been a dream come true to play for the Lakers."
Only Lakers executives are permitted to comment on the team's prospective free agents.
The Lakers can offer Bryant the most money and longest deal with a seven-year, $141 million offer. The most another team can offer is approximately $98 million over six years.
The Nuggets have nearly $20 million available to spend this summer in the free-agent market.
While Bryant says he wants to be a Laker for the rest his life, he does not seem interested in re-signing with the Lakers, as he is allowed to do, before March 1. The eight-year Laker says he would like to opt out in order to review his options. Bryant said he was uncertain whether he would visit with teams when free agency begins July 1. Los Angeles also does not seem to be exploring trades for the 6-foot-6, 220-pounder before Thursday's trade deadline.
"It's just about exploring options," Bryant said. "That's something I've never had to do. When I first came here, I was drafted by the Lakers. Then I took an extension. I never had a really good shot at looking at free agency. We're going to look at it. That doesn't mean I want to go someplace else, play someplace else."
The potential move by the Nuggets would be another unusual twist to the story that began last summer in Eagle.
Bryant is accused of sexually assaulting a then-19-year-old hotel employee on June 30, after the two met at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera. Bryant, who was in town for knee surgery, denies the allegations but admits to having consensual sex with the woman.
The case has delivered international celebrity to the mountain town, bringing droves of media and spectators for Bryant's court appearances.
Eagle Mayor Roxie Deane said the town has moved on since the incident last summer, noting: "We're pretty much living our lives anyway; it's not the center of our universe."
Deane added that Eagle County residents are open-minded, and if Bryant is found innocent, "goodness, his life should go on. I would certainly hope that with due process, when we find out what the truth is, we can accept this."
But a victim advocate said any decision by the Nuggets to pursue Bryant, be it for his basketball prowess or his celebrity status, could be a blow to the alleged victim and others in the community.
"I don't know what would go into their decision on this," said Cynthia Stone, spokeswoman for the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault. "He can play basketball for whoever he wants to, but I think it would be at the very least, an awkward situation ... and upsetting for the victim."
The accusations have tarnished the clean-cut Bryant's reputation in Colorado. He was booed throughout a January basketball game at the Pepsi Center. Since last summer, the basketball superstar has lost sponsorship deals including Nutella, a chocolate spread, and McDonald's. Bob Williams of Burns Sports and Celebrities Inc. estimated last year that in a worst-case scenario, Bryant could lose $150 million in potential earnings.
Bryant, Atlanta forward Rasheed Wallace, Dallas guard Steve Nash and New Jersey forward Kenyon Martin are expected to be atop the Nuggets' free-agent wish list. During a high school showcase in Los Angeles in early January, Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe was among a handful of NBA personnel who had a long discussion with Bryant's agent, Rob Pelinka.
The Nuggets entered the all-star break as one of the NBA's most surprising teams, with a 31-23 record. Denver also has a rookie of the year candidate in forward Carmelo Anthony and a solid cast with point guard Andre Miller, forward-center Nene and center Marcus Camby. While Voshon Lenard has played well, the Nuggets are also looking to add a taller and more athletic shooting guard this summer. Moreover, while Anthony is viewed as the Nuggets' superstar, he wouldn't mind sharing the spotlight with Bryant.
"Playing with us? I don't see anything wrong with that," Anthony said. "I think I'd get along with him pretty well. I'd love to play with him."
When asked how he thought Bryant would deal with Colorado, Anthony said Bryant has already dug himself a hole with many Colorado NBA fans because of the controversy, but that he could win them over by coming to the Nuggets.
Bryant on Nuggets' free-agent wish list
Interest will depend on outcome of sex-assault trial, sources say
By Marc J. Spears
Denver Post Sports Writer
AP file
The Lakers can offer Kobe Bryant the most money with a seven-year, $141 million offer. The next best would be $98 million.
LOS ANGELES - The Denver Nuggets will pursue prospective free agent Kobe Bryant after this season, assuming the Los Angeles Lakers superstar is found not guilty in his sexual assault trial, NBA sources confirmed to The Denver Post on Saturday.
Although Bryant was booed by fans at the Pepsi Center during a game Jan. 7 and he still faces court proceedings in his sexual assault case in Eagle County, NBA sources say all the drama surrounding Bryant wouldn't keep the Nuggets from pursuing him if he becomes an unrestricted free agent, as expected, this summer.
Behind closed doors, the team is keeping an open mind on his situation, awaiting the outcome of the trial, NBA sources said.
During an interview session at the 2004 NBA All-Star Game, Bryant didn't dismiss the possibility of considering the team's overtures when asked if he would close the door on the Nuggets if they knocked during the offseason. But Bryant also was noncommittal.
"I'm not even thinking about it, man," Bryant said during Friday's all-star media session. "This summer when things roll out, then we'll talk about it. But until then, that is something I'm not going to do."
Bryant is averaging a team-best 21.5 points per game, has three championship rings with the Lakers and is a six-time all-star. Since he is expected to become an unrestricted free agent this summer by opting out of his contract, tonight's NBA All-Star Game at the Staples Center could be his last in a Lakers uniform.
Reports swirled throughout the media last week that Bryant is expected to go elsewhere.
"That's just not true," said Bryant, 25. "I want to be a Laker for the rest of my life. That hasn't changed. I've been a Laker fan since I was 6. It's been a dream come true to play for the Lakers."
Only Lakers executives are permitted to comment on the team's prospective free agents.
The Lakers can offer Bryant the most money and longest deal with a seven-year, $141 million offer. The most another team can offer is approximately $98 million over six years.
The Nuggets have nearly $20 million available to spend this summer in the free-agent market.
While Bryant says he wants to be a Laker for the rest his life, he does not seem interested in re-signing with the Lakers, as he is allowed to do, before March 1. The eight-year Laker says he would like to opt out in order to review his options. Bryant said he was uncertain whether he would visit with teams when free agency begins July 1. Los Angeles also does not seem to be exploring trades for the 6-foot-6, 220-pounder before Thursday's trade deadline.
"It's just about exploring options," Bryant said. "That's something I've never had to do. When I first came here, I was drafted by the Lakers. Then I took an extension. I never had a really good shot at looking at free agency. We're going to look at it. That doesn't mean I want to go someplace else, play someplace else."
The potential move by the Nuggets would be another unusual twist to the story that began last summer in Eagle.
Bryant is accused of sexually assaulting a then-19-year-old hotel employee on June 30, after the two met at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera. Bryant, who was in town for knee surgery, denies the allegations but admits to having consensual sex with the woman.
The case has delivered international celebrity to the mountain town, bringing droves of media and spectators for Bryant's court appearances.
Eagle Mayor Roxie Deane said the town has moved on since the incident last summer, noting: "We're pretty much living our lives anyway; it's not the center of our universe."
Deane added that Eagle County residents are open-minded, and if Bryant is found innocent, "goodness, his life should go on. I would certainly hope that with due process, when we find out what the truth is, we can accept this."
But a victim advocate said any decision by the Nuggets to pursue Bryant, be it for his basketball prowess or his celebrity status, could be a blow to the alleged victim and others in the community.
"I don't know what would go into their decision on this," said Cynthia Stone, spokeswoman for the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault. "He can play basketball for whoever he wants to, but I think it would be at the very least, an awkward situation ... and upsetting for the victim."
The accusations have tarnished the clean-cut Bryant's reputation in Colorado. He was booed throughout a January basketball game at the Pepsi Center. Since last summer, the basketball superstar has lost sponsorship deals including Nutella, a chocolate spread, and McDonald's. Bob Williams of Burns Sports and Celebrities Inc. estimated last year that in a worst-case scenario, Bryant could lose $150 million in potential earnings.
Bryant, Atlanta forward Rasheed Wallace, Dallas guard Steve Nash and New Jersey forward Kenyon Martin are expected to be atop the Nuggets' free-agent wish list. During a high school showcase in Los Angeles in early January, Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe was among a handful of NBA personnel who had a long discussion with Bryant's agent, Rob Pelinka.
The Nuggets entered the all-star break as one of the NBA's most surprising teams, with a 31-23 record. Denver also has a rookie of the year candidate in forward Carmelo Anthony and a solid cast with point guard Andre Miller, forward-center Nene and center Marcus Camby. While Voshon Lenard has played well, the Nuggets are also looking to add a taller and more athletic shooting guard this summer. Moreover, while Anthony is viewed as the Nuggets' superstar, he wouldn't mind sharing the spotlight with Bryant.
"Playing with us? I don't see anything wrong with that," Anthony said. "I think I'd get along with him pretty well. I'd love to play with him."
When asked how he thought Bryant would deal with Colorado, Anthony said Bryant has already dug himself a hole with many Colorado NBA fans because of the controversy, but that he could win them over by coming to the Nuggets.
at the idea of Kobe playing for Denver (or Utah), though.
