Kobe Bryant signs two year extension to Lakers deal

Kobe Bryant has signed a two-year extension to his LA Lakers contract and looks set to end his career with the team.

The extension covers the 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons and, according to ESPN, is worth $48.5m, which would mean Bryant will remain the highest-paid player in the NBA.

Bryant is currently on the sidelines as he recovers from a ruptured left Achilles tendon but he has been able to practice recently, although no date has been set for his return to competitive action.

The 35-year-old guard is the Lakers’ all-time leading scorer and the team have won the NBA title on five occasions since he joined in 1996.

Bryant has tweeted a photo of himself signing his new contract with the hashtag ‘Laker4Life’.

“We’ve said all along that our priority and hope was to have Kobe finish his career as a Laker, and this should ensure that happens,” said Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak.

“To play 20 years in the NBA, and to do so with the same team, is unprecedented, and quite an accomplishment.

“Most importantly however, this assures us that one of the best players in the world will remain a Laker, bringing us excellent play and excitement for years to come.”

Bryant has been an NBA All-Star on no less than 15 occasions and was a member of gold medal-winning United States teams at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.