GM says he expects Kobe Bryant to be on the Los Angeles Lakers in three years
By Bryan Rose
Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant knows retirement is coming. He’s not afraid, at least, so he says. Bryant has far more mileage on his legs than the prototypical 34 year old NBA player considering he entered the NBA at 18, has logged some of the heaviest minutes the league has ever seen and has played a few extra seasons worth of postseason games (literally).
So when Bryant was pressed about how much longer he intended to play earlier this offseason, he suggested two years before bumping it up to three or even four. That’s apparently fine with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, who told Mark Willard he expects Bryant to be on the Lakers in three years – assuming he continues his level of play:
"Kupchak on Kobe being a Laker in 3 years: “If he can play at a high level, I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t be.”"
Bryant of course is a free agent at season end and is almost all but certain (sans signing a one or two year deal) to be taking a pay cut, both in regards to his performance and the team’s ability to bring in new player. Not exactly easy to attract free agents, despite being one of the most storied franchises in the NBA with a $30 million dollar a year player.