A legacy that began with the 1996 NBA Draft may be coming to an end soon, as Los Angeles Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak revealed in an interview on Thursday that Kobe Bryant's 20th season with the Purple & Gold will be his last.
"He has indicated to me that this is it," Kupchak said in a radio appearance with SiriusXM NBA Radio. "I think first and foremost, he's on the last year of a deal," Kupchak added. "There have been no discussions about anything going forward. I don't think there will be."
While Bryant hasn't ruled out playing beyond the 2015-16 season, the 17-time All-Star will be 37 when next season begins, and he's had to step out of his past three seasons early due to injury.
"A year from now, if there's something different to discuss, then it will be discussed then," Kupchak said of Bryant potentially going past 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."
Whether Bryant retires after next season or keeps going, he's surely cemented his place alongside the greatest players to ever pick up a basketball. Sound off below.
Source: ESPN
