Kobe Bryant Retirement Imminent; Could Leave The Lakers After Next Season

Kobe Bryant will reportedly play one more season with the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring for good. TMZ Sports revealed that Mitch Kupchak, General Manager of the Lakers, said that Bryant will be playing his last season when he returns from his injury.

Kupchak told SiriusXM NBA Radio with Rick Fox and Jared Greenberg, “He (Bryant) has indicated to me that this is it.” Bryant referred to the upcoming 2015-2016 NBA season. “There have been no discussions about anything going forward. I don't think there will be. He hasn't indicated that he wants to continue to play," he added.

A number of fans are still hoping that the Lakers veteran could play one more season. Kupchak did not guarantee that Kobe would not change his mind regarding his decision. It also remains unclear whether Bryant meant leaving the Lakers or the NBA entirely, based on the same TMZ Sports report.

Kupchak added in an article by the Los Angeles Times, “If somebody doesn't want to play with Kobe, whether it's this year or he decides to come back another year... If there is a player out there like that, that won't come here for that reason, then we don't want him.”

He added, “Every great player is demanding, 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 be someplace else.”

The Guardian stated that Bryant, who is turning 37 in 2015, has one year left on his contract with the Lakers valued at $25 million. While the Los Angeles Lakers placed last in the 2014-2015 regular NBA season, the five-time NBA champion averaged 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists a game. His season was cut short in January when he suffered a shoulder injury.

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