The Los Angeles Lakers said on Thursday that all-star guard Kobe Bryant would stay with the NBA team.

"We have been informed by Kobe that he is going to sign a new contract with us," Lakers spokesman John Black said.

The Lakers desperately need the free agent guard to stay after Shaquille O'Neal went to Miami Heat earlier this week and the departure of coach Phil Jackson.

The Lakers were reported to have offered Bryant a seven-year contract worth about 136 million US dollars.