Here’s the thing with Kobe’s contract - the Buses who own the team don’t have any other business ventures besides the Lakers, it is their source of income. So unlike other owners who make money off of other things, the finacial aspect does play a big factor into their choices and the Kobe signing was 100% a buisness choice (and absolutely the right one in that context). Say they draw their feet in the sand and Kobe walks, signs a big contract with whoever. Are the Lakers better off because they aren’t strapped to that contract, yes from simply a on court perspective it frees things up. Doesn’t mean they would’ve been better or that today they’d be in better shape. What it does promise is the fan base would get angry, ticket sales and revenue go down