Bryant happy with extension, nears return

Wearing his practice shorts and a sweatshirt, Kobe Bryant looked as if he was ready to return action.

After the Los Angeles Lakers signed the fourth-leading scoring in NBA history to a two-year contract extension, Bryant said he can't wait to play.

''The Lakers came up with the structure.. From my perspective, it was very easy to accept it,'' Bryant said. In what he says will probably be his final contract, Bryant says there was no negotiation.

Bryant won't play on this three-game road trip, but he's looking forward to three practices in the four days off that precede Los Angeles' game in Sacramento on Dec. 6 as a possible return.