Kobe Bryant's longevity in the NBA has been placed into question ever since he suffered another season-ending injury cutting his 2014-15 campaign short. With one year remaining on his contract, many wondered just how much longer Bryant planned to play considering his health status. After denying retirement was even in the vicinity, general manager Mitch Kupchak made it clear that next season is Bryant's last.
According to Kupchak in an interview on SiriusXM NBA Radio, the Lakers general manager said that Bryant would not play beyond the 2015-16 season. Currently scheduled to earn $25 million next year, many wondered if the veteran would try and sign a new deal to play a few more seasons as Bryant continued to say he was not ruling out a return. According to Kuchak that is not happening.
"He has indicated to me that this is it," Kupchak said, via SiriusXM NBA Radio. "A year from now, if there's something different to discuss, then it will be discussed then. 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."
The Lakers will have plenty of salary cap space this offseason along with the No. 2 draft pick. That should make things pretty easy when it comes to transitioning into a post-Bryant era. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers are eyeing everyone from Kevin Love to Rajon Rondo to LaMarcus Aldridge in free agency, but will they sign if Byrant is not there? Kupchak is hopeful that is not an issue the team has to deal with.
"But if there is a player out there like that, that won't come here for that reason, then we don't want them," Kupchak said, via Baxter Holmes of ESPN.com. "Every great player is demanding and 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 go someplace else."
According to Kupchak the Lakers will not be trading their No. 2 draft pick as team sources believe they will draft either Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns with the pick. That will help with defense while someone like Rondo or Goran Dragic take care of the point guard spot. Life without Bryant will certainly be new for Los Angeles, but they have the ability to move past him quickly.