NEW YORK — Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol has agreed in principle to an extension that would keep him under contract through 2013-14, and Kobe Bryant has had ever-improving discussions on a contract extension that would keep him with the Lakers for the same time period.

On Friday, Gasol smiled and said, “I haven’t signed anything yet,” but it was merely semantics, the stroke of a pen likely completing his extension within a few days after the Lakers’ trip ends Sunday in Detroit, according to sources close to the negotiations but not authorized to speak publicly.
Gasol, 29, made the Lakers instant championship contenders when he was acquired in February 2008 from the Memphis Grizzlies, but his current contract expires after next season. He is making $16.5 million this season and $17.8 million next season, though a three-year extension would net him an additional sum of up to $64.7 million, depending on NBA salary-cap figures to be determined in 2011.
Bryant, 31, is also having positive talks with the franchise that drafted him in 1996. He is making $23 million this season and will make $24.8 million next season in the last year of his contract, but he can tack on a three-year extension worth up to $91 million, depending on future salary-cap figures.
Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak declined to comment on Bryant or Gasol other than to say, “Generally speaking, we’d love to have both players finish their careers as a Laker.”
The Lakers have offered Bryant the most they can under salary-cap rules, but the sides are believed to be discussing smaller items such as whether the 11-time All-Star can get most of his annual salary at the start of each season, which has been the case throughout his current contract. Another sticking point possibly includes whether he can again have a no-trade clause, which came into play when he demanded a trade from the Lakers in May 2007.
Bryant has declined to talk about the status of his contract extension, saying most recently he wanted to “keep my business behind closed doors.”
The Lakers have been to the NBA Finals the last two seasons with Gasol and have not lost three consecutive games since acquiring him. His value was obvious earlier this season when the team went 8-3 while he was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Since his return, the Lakers have won 12 of 13 games. “It’s crazy to think it, but he’s still underrated,” Bryant said. “He’s a great, great player.”
Gasol made the All-Star team last season, representing the Western Conference as one of the NBA’s most versatile forwards. He is averaging 17.7 points, 12.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists a game this season, and has been on a recent rebounding tear, averaging 19.5 over the last four games.