Kobe Bryant, who guided the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA championship last month, has decided not to nullify the last two years of his contract and will stay with the squad.
Bryant, the Most Valuable Player of the NBA Finals triumph over Orlando, had until yesterday to make himself an unrestricted free agent by dumping the deal.
Staying with the Lakers means Bryant's agent and the club will talk over a contract extension that will bring the backcourt playmaker $36 million next season and give him the chance to opt out of the deal next June.
Bryant had tipped his hand two weeks ago by saying he would not leave the team where he's has played for his entire 13-year NBA career, and won four titles.