I don't think anyone is arguing Kobe isn't worth the money in a business sense. It's for basketball reasons that it's not even remotely close. If Kobe took a Dirk like discount and saved his team 15-18m then they would have had no reason to be a salary dump for the Rockets and pay lin 15m. They also had Hill on a team option for 9m. They had Gasol's rights and he signed in Chicago for a discount, no reason to think he wouldn't do same with the team he won with. That's a lot of cap room and they had just drafted Randle. Maybe they make a play for Kevin Love, maybe they make a play for Rondo or Dragic. A lot of things could have changed just from having the ability to sign a free agent or 2. Melo wouldn't leave NY but maybe he goes to LA if it's more appealing. Ariza could have had a reunion there. Parsons seems like a LA kinda guy. Deng was free as well in that first off season. No free agent in their right mind would sign with them with Kobe making 23-25m and coming off injury. Kobe at 7.5m though is a major difference. Especially if it means Lin trade never happens and they keep Gasol.
It is entirely possible that the Lakers could have been competing for a playoff spot and Kobe could have went out playing "meaningful games" like Dirk has been.
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