Lakers: Mark Cuban’s Kobe Bryant Comments Are Inappropriate

USA TODAY Sports Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban made some bold comments on Friday regarding the Los Angeles Lakers cap and payroll situation heading into next off-season. Cuban made the surprising statement by saying the team should consider amnestying their star shooting guard, Kobe Bryant. “If you look at their payroll, even if Dwight (Howard) comes back, you’ve got to ask the question: Should they amnesty Kobe? You just don’t know, right?” Cuban said Friday. “It’s the same reason I wouldn’t get rid of Dirk (Nowitzki). I’ll take a hit for a season rather than get rid of Dirk. That’s just it. I’ve made that commitment to him over the years and he’s returned that commitment. Maybe that’s selfish, but that’s just the way it is.” The Lakers were aware of the comments and responded to Cuban. “We’re aware of Mark Cuban’s comments and feel they are inappropriate,” Lakers spokesman John Black said in a statement, according to ESPN Los Angeles. “As to the issue itself, we will not comment publicly on the amnesty issue as it relates to any of our players.” Bryant was asked about Cuban’s comments after the Lakers game versus the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night, answering while chuckling, ”I’ll bet he did.” Bryant is set to have the league’s highest salary next season, as he looks to earn about $30.45 million in the last year of his contract. Their payroll could reach up to $85 million for next season, which led to Cuban making the comments about Kobe. The Lakers will play the Mavericks on Sunday. The post Lakers: Mark Cuban’s Kobe Bryant Comments Are Inappropriate appeared first on FootBasket.