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Lakers GM: Next season will likely be Kobe Bryant's last with the team

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X

XiaNaphryz

LATIN, MATRIPEDICABUS, DO YOU SPEAK IT
http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/...indicates-next-season-last-los-angeles-lakers

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said star guard Kobe Bryant has told the GM that the 2015-16 season will be Bryant's last with the Lakers.

"He has indicated to me that this is it," Kupchak said Thursday in a radio appearance with SiriusXM NBA Radio.

Bryant is scheduled to make a league-high $25 million in his final contract season -- his 20th -- with the Lakers. But there's speculation that Bryant could play beyond next season, and Bryant said he hasn't ruled out that possibility.

"I think first and foremost, he's on the last year of a deal," Kupchak told SiriusXM NBA Radio. "There have been no discussions about anything going forward. I don't think there will be."

Bryant will be 37 years old when next season begins, and his past three seasons have ended early because of injury. He played only 35 games last season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.

"A year from now, if there's something different to discuss, then it will be discussed then," Kupchak said of Bryant potentially playing beyond next season. "I talk to him from time to time ... and he is recovering. He's running. He's getting movement and strength in the shoulder. We expect a full recovery, but yeah, he's much closer to the end than to the beginning."

Because of the uncertainty about Bryant's future, Kupchak said he's unsure if there will be a farewell tour next season.

"It's kind of up to the player, if they want to do something like that," Kupchak said. "And it also may take away some options a year from now and put a player in an awkward position, but he will be recognized appropriately with great gratitude when it is time."

Kupchak was also asked if it's important for free agents to have clarity on Bryant's future plans with the Lakers, particularly if they're wary of joining the team while Bryant is still playing, a notion that has been reported in recent years.

"I think it is clear," Kupchak said. "He's on the last year of his deal. There have been no discussions [about playing beyond next season]. He hasn't indicated that he wants to continue to play.

"But if there is a player out there like that, that won't come here for that reason, then we don't want them. Every great player is demanding and focused, and if you don't want to play for a guy like him that's driven to do nothing but win championships and work hard, then you shouldn't be here. You should go someplace else."

Kupchak also said that about a decade ago, Bryant wanted to be involved in just about every decision the organization made, including which players it drafted.

But with the Lakers holding the No. 2 overall selection in the June 25 draft, Kupchak said he doesn't expect Bryant to have much -- if any -- input on who the team selects this year.

"Seven or eight years ago, he just backed away and said, 'You guys know what you're doing,' which was flattering," Kupchak said in a radio appearance Thursday with ESPN's Colin Cowherd.

"[He said,] 'I'm just going to do what I do during the offseason. If you need me, I'll help recruit. If you want my opinion on a player, give me a call. I'll be at the gym today, let's sit down and get lunch, let's talk.' That's kind of where we are today.

"... He knows about the guys at Duke, Kentucky and North Carolina, but I don't think he wants to be involved in the draft at all."

Kupchak reiterated that Bryant is still involved in recruiting free agents.

"He's more than willing [to call a player] every time I ask him," Kupchak told SiriusXM NBA Radio.

But Kupchak can't yet publicly say whether that includes Rajon Rondo, the mercurial four-time All-Star point guard.

"I know I can't comment on free agents," Kupchak told Cowherd. "But I mentioned earlier, we have two things: No. 1, we have a rookie [Jordan Clarkson] who had a good year who's a ballhandling guard who can also, I think, be in the backcourt with another ballhandling player. I think that would work.

"But the other thing we have is, we do have a lot of cap room. We feel like we do have to be aggressive. Getting the [No. 2 overall] pick takes a little bit of the pressure off to do something borderline this summer [in free agency]."
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C

CountAntonius

Member
Long overdo. The heart and skill is still there but his body just can't handle it anymore. Last few coaches just let him wear himself into injury.
 
C

Cipherr

Member
Long overdue. Finally they can start to rebuild for real.

Edit: Its wild though how their last real chance to get Kobe a sixth was that year the Mavericks curb stomped them in that sweep. Shit was brutal.
 
S

Sandfox

Member
I'm probably going to try and get to the Celtics @ Lakers to see what they do during the 20th season celebration.

entrement said:
What horrible last three years for Kobe.

Jim Buss sucks.
Click to expand...

He wan't even playing these last two seasons so the team would've been crap either way.

entrement said:
I'm talking about signing Pringles instead of Phil, when they had the opportunity.
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Jerry Buss made that decision and Phil basically wanted the job he has in NY now.
 
F

friskykillface

Banned
Bye Kobe

Still mad about 2010, he practically gave the Celtics the title before the 4th quarter

End of an era , his contract was justified, he helped give you 5 titles and went to the finals 7 times , why so mad laker nation.
 
D

~Devil Trigger~

In favor of setting Muslim women on fire
big-boss-salute-o.gif
 
F

Forceatowulf

G***n S**n*bi
Not buying it.

We'll be contending in 2 years from now when Clarkson/Randal/Towns are beasting and we sign Durant.

Old Snake has a few more missions left in him before it's time to pull the trigger.
 
D

Dion Blaster

Member
friskykillface said:
Bye Kobe

Still mad about 2010, he practically gave the Celtics the title before the 4th quarter

End of an era , his contract was justified, he helped give you 5 titles and went to the finals 7 times , why so mad laker nation.
Click to expand...

Because our fanbase is riddled with entitled, impatient whiners.

To be fair to Kobe, that game 7 was brutal offensively for everyone.
 
F

FZZ

Banned
Sucks that his body just can't let him go any further. Mentally he still has the same hunger he had when he was 19.
 
entremet

entremet

Member
Sarobi said:
Plot twist: He isn't retiring, he's going to the Clippers.
Click to expand...

Dude could barely walk. He's falling apart.

He could play more games if he were to take a smaller contract and be an off the bench role player, but his ego won't let him.
 
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