Fansided

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak: Kobe Bryant has indicated next season will be his last

By Jack Crosby

Jan 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Lakers 96-80. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Lakers 96-80. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kobe Bryant has apparently indicated to Mitch Kupchak that next season will be his last in Los Angeles

For those hoping that Kobe Bryant might have some more years left in the tank, you’re not going to like what Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak revealed recently.

Thursday on Sirius XM NBA Radio, Kupchak revealed that Bryant has indicated to him that the 2015-16 NBA season will be the last one that he plays.

“He’s indicated to me this is it,” Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said Thursday on on “SiriusXM NBA Radio” with Rick Fox and Jared Greenberg.

The two have not even discussed anything going forward, either.

“There have been no discussions about anything going forward. I don’t think there will be,” Kupchak said. “A year from now, if there is something different to discuss, we’ll discuss it then.”

Of course, it’s important to remember that Kupchak has said that Kobe only “indicated” the notion of retiring to him, meaning that nothing is set in stone as of yet. A lot can change between now and next season, and if Kobe comes out and feels he has more to give, then he might give one or two more years a try.

Plus, the Lakers recently drew the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA Draft at the Lottery this past week, putting them in prime position to land either Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor. With Julius Randle also returning from injury this year after he missed virtually all of his rookie season least year, should Kobe see that a championship contender could be molded with these pieces, then you never know where his head can go.

But for now, according to Kupchak, the indications are that 2015-16 will be the last that we see of Kobe Bryant in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform on the court.

Bryant missed a good part of this past season with a torn rotator cuff, and the 2015-16 campaign will be his 20th in the league.

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