LOS ANGELES, July 15 (UPI) -- Kobe Bryant announced Thursday he had decided to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Terms of his new contract were not disclosed, but various reports have put the deal at seven years worth at least $130 million.
Bryant, who will be tried later this year in Colorado on a charge of sexual assault, was free to sign with any team in the league.
He flirted briefly with the Los Angeles Clippers before deciding to stay put.
"We realize that this was an important decision for him, and we respect the process undertaken to reach it," said Clippers Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor.
Bryant averaged 24 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game last season for Los Angeles, which lost to the Pistons in five games in the NBA Finals.
Keeping Bryant was paramount for the Lakers after they traded away superstar Shaquille O'Neal earlier in the week.
