Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak Says Next Season Will Be Kobe Bryant’s Last

USA Today

Following the worst season in franchise history, the Los Angeles Lakers finally received some promising news. The storied franchise now owns the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and the rebuilding process is in full swing with Los Angeles potentially having one of the most talented young squads in the years to come.

With the future starting to shape up for the Lakers, the question remains about Kobe Bryant’s immediate future. Bryant has one year left on his contract with the team at $25 million and has kept the door open for another year or two in purple and gold after next year.

Although Bryant hasn’t officially said next season will be his last, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak recently said the following about the superstar’s plans, via ESPN’s Baxter Holmes:

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 will be playing in his 20th season come October and coming off three consecutive years of season-ending surgeries. The five-time NBA champion’s body simply can’t seem to hold up anymore and that’ll likely lead to his retirement next summer.

With all indications pointing to Bryant’s retirement after next season, many have started to wonder if he’d change his mind if the Lakers become competitive again with a revamped roster filled with young talent.

Los Angeles will have the second overall pick, more than likely either Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor, to go along with Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, Nick Young, Tarik Black, and possibly a big-name free agent if the teams gets lucky this summer. Although that team definitely needs some polish and isn’t very experienced, Los Angeles might be able to turn some heads and therefore convince Kobe to prolong his career a little longer.