Bryant is in the final year of a three-year extension he signed back in 2010, and as part of that deal, according to Eric Pincus and Mike Bresnahan of the L.A. Times, the Lakers agreed to have more than $24 million of the $30 million the team owes him paid out in one day—and that day is Friday, November 1.

Under NBA rules, a player and team can negotiate when and how a player’s salary is paid out—most break it down bi-weekly, like the bulk of American workers. But league rules allow up to 80 percent of salary to be paid in advance. That is how Bryant’s deal is structured.

Bryant, of course, can be an unrestricted free agent after this season. He has discussed signing another extension with the Lakers before the summer hits, but his health and the Lakers’ desire to protect cap space remain factors in that decision. 


JORDAN: WE WON'T TANK


As frustrated as Michael Jordan has been over the Charlotte Bobcats' lack of success, it's just not in his competitive DNA to tank games.

Forget that the NBA would likely hand down a hefty fine and fans would probably boycott if a team admitted to doing that, Jordan said purposely losing games in hopes of getting a top pick in the draft is no way to fix a rebuilding franchise.

The Bobcats owner scoffed at the idea Friday, telling The Associated Press, "I don't know if some teams have thought of that. That's not something that we would do. I don't believe in that."

He then laughed heartily and said, "If that was my intention I never would have paid (free agent) Al Jefferson $13 million a year."

While the 2014 NBA draft offers hopes to fledgling teams with talented players like Andrew Wiggins at Kansas and Duke's Jabari Parker, Jordan made it clear he isn't thinking about losing.

"It's not guaranteed (the player) you are going to get is going to be that star anyway," Jordan said. "I did read that certain teams are thinking about doing it. But I'm not one of them. So let's alleviate that conversation."

Jordan also said he would be happy to sit down and share his basketball knowledge with LeBron James.

The Miami Heat star had said in an ESPN interview that he's like to connect with Jordan and pick up some advice.

"Sure, I would be willing to talk to a bunch of the kids," Jordan said. "And actually I do. I don't advertise it because I don't want it to be misconstrued or to be viewed as tampering with other stars. I'm in a more difficult position than other owners because it can be viewed in a different way.

"But I've always welcomed an opportunity to talk to anybody, LeBron included."

Jordan said he's mentored other players but has kept it on the "down low" because he doesn't like to publicize his efforts. He wouldn't name the players, but said there's nothing he wouldn't do to help the game.

"I was very moved to see (Lebron) said that. But I'm not the type that is going to chase down today's athletes," Jordan said. "If you welcome conversation or insight from me, I'm here and I'm always going to be receptive of that. I will do what I can to better the player for the game of basketball and not give them bad information because he's with the Heat and I have a team over here.

"I'm about the game of basketball and I would give feedback to improve them as a basketball player," Jordan said, then added, laughing, "even though it may cost my team a chance at the end of the game."


MAGIC'S JONES HURTING


Magic forward/center Solomon Jones tore the lateral meniscus in his left knee and is out indefinitely.

Jones, signed as a free agent on Sept. 27, injured the knee during the Magic’s OT loss to the Timberwolves this past Wednesday. In seven preseason games, Jones averaged 4.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 16 minutes of action.

Jones was a second-round pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2006 draft. The Magic are the sixth team he’s played for in his career.

Contributors: Sean Deveney, Roger Kuznia and The Associated Press