Kobe Bryant gives up Newport Coast homes

The wife of Lakers guard Kobe Bryant will keep the couple's three Newport Coast homes as part of their estimated $75 million divorce settlement, according to public records reviewed Friday.

Property records on file at the Orange County Clerk-Recorder's Office in Santa Ana show that all three homes, valued at $18.8 million total, were transferred into Vanessa Bryant's name since their divorce proceedings began in December.

While the home transfers indicate that the couple has worked out a settlement, the divorce is not yet official, according to records reviewed at theOrange County Superior Court'sfamily law branch in Orange.

Neither of the attorneys representing the couple was available for comment Friday.

The newest home, a palatial estate near the Resort at Pelican Hill, was recently under construction. Property records peg its worth at $11.2 million. Bryant's agent, Rob Pelinka, was the listed owner until he signed transfer papers Dec. 15.

Another home, worth $2.9 million, was owned jointly by the couple since 2003. Vanessa Bryant signed documents to transfer it into her name Dec. 14.

Kobe Bryant and his trust owned the third home, valued at $4.7 million, and he transferred it to Vanessa on Dec. 30.

Based on salary and endorsement deals, some estimate that Kobe Bryant's net worth is $150 million. Legal experts say that Vanessa Bryant is in line to receive about half of Kobe's fortune, in addition to ongoing spousal and child support. The couple reportedly did not sign a prenuptial agreement.

Citing irreconcilable differences, Vanessa Bryant filed for divorce after a decade of marriage in Orange County Superior Court last month.

They are also seeking joint custody of their daughters, Natalia, 8, and Gianna, 5.

Vanessa Bryant listed miscellaneous jewelry, Kobe Bryant's earnings and real estate as the couple's joint assets.

mike.reicher@latimes.com

Twitter: @mreicher