LOS ANGELES // Kobe Bryant has opted not to terminate the final two years of his contract with the Lakers and is expected to sign a three-year extension this month.
Bryant, 30, who led the Lakers to their 15th NBA crown with a 4-1 series win over Orlando last month, has played his entire 13-season career in Los Angeles.
He had until Tuesday to become an unrestricted free agent but decided not to exercise that right.
"Kobe passed on his option to cancel the final two years of his contract," John Black, the Lakers vice-president of public relations, said.
Bryant, the Most Valuable Player of the NBA Finals, had signalled last month he was committed to staying in LA.
"We want to do this thing again and again so you know we'll be back next year ready to go," Bryant told Lakers fans at the team's celebration parade on June 17.
An 11-times All-Star and 2008 MVP, Bryant and Derek Fisher, 34, are the veteran hands in the Lakers starting line-up with additional experience coming from forwards Lamar Odom, 29 and the Spaniard Pau Gasol, 28.
Los Angeles reached the NBA Finals a year ago but lost to the Boston Celtics in six games. However, they were able to take the next step this year with Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza, both of whom had injuries a season ago, adding much-needed depth.
But there are doubts surrounding Odom and Ariza, who are free agents and could decide to leave. Odom earned US$14.1 million (Dh51m) last season but will have to take a pay cut if he is to stay.
Ariza, 24, is expected to get a significant increase on the $3.1m he earned last season.
The Lakers management have consistently said they intend to keep their NBA champions team intact.
* Reuters
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Price, base: Dh228,000 / Dh232,000 (est)
Engine: 5.7-litre Hemi V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 552Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.5L / 100km
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
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Pakistanis%20at%20the%20ILT20%20
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Day 1 results:
Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)
Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
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WHAT%20IS%20'JUICE%20JACKING'%3F
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The%20specs
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SPECS
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The%20Sandman
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Company%20Profile
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MATCH INFO:
Second Test
Pakistan v Australia, Tuesday-Saturday, 10am daily at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Entrance is free
Command%20Z
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The%20Killer
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What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded