Lakers News: Kobe Bryant Rips Back At Mark Cuban Over Amnesty Comment On Twitter

On Friday, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban suggested that the Los Angeles Lakers might have to consider using their amnesty clause on Kobe Bryant.

The shooting guard didn’t take too kindly to the comments, and expressed his feelings on Twitter on Sunday.

“Amnesty THAT,” tweeted Bryant after the Lakers 103-99 win against the Mavericks. The L.A. star scored 38 points in the victory, just two days after Cuban spoke about Bryant’s contract situation.

L.A. has yet to use their amnesty clause, which would allow them to rid themselves of any player that they signed before the new collective bargaining agreement in 2011. Cuban told ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM that Los Angeles would have to think about making a tough decision.

“If you look at their payroll, even if Dwight (Howard) comes back, you've got to ask the question: Should they amnesty Kobe?” Cuban said. “So I'm just saying that hypothetically. When I say amnesty Kobe, I don't think they'd do it, but they've got some choices to make. Now, they're in a big market, but they're still limited. The Knicks, the same thing. Boston, same thing.”

Cuban responded to Bryant’s tweet with one of his own.

"Nice to know there is a least one team and their players, outside of the Mavs, that listen to everything I say,” said Cuban. "But I do have to give props to @kobebryant for a great tweet. #Welldone."

The Lakers most certainly paid attention to what Cuban said. After the owner’s initial comments, the team gave a response to the L.A. Daily News.

“We're aware of Mark Cuban's comments. We feel they're inappropriate,” Lakers spokesman John Black said. “As far as the issue itself, we're not going to comment publicly on the amnesty issue as it relates to any of our players.”

Los Angeles won’t amnesty the future Hall of Famer, but doing so would tremendously improve their salary cap situation. Bryant will enter final year of his deal next season, and he’s set to make over $30 million.