Prior to suffering a season ending Achilles tear, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has consistently suggested that he intends to play just one or two more seasons before retiring.
However, as he's currently on a tour of Brazil, the future Hall of Famer revealed an entirely different plan altogether.
"I could easily see myself playing another three or four years," he said on Brazilian television in a segment produced by Glenda Carqueijo (2:30 in the video).
Bryant appears pretty serious about playing an extended amount of time than first speculated, even mentioning how he consulted soccer star David Beckham for recovery tips.
The Los Angeles Times has even reported Bryant's desire for the Lakers to improve the roster with younger talent moving forward to ensure the franchise remains title contenders.
"It's a big summer for us. We don't know what direction we're going yet but one thing I know about the Laker organization is that they're very committed to making sure that we have a team that's on the floor that's a competitive team to win a championship," said Bryant. "Which direction that's going to be, whether it's with Dwight or not? I don't know. We'll just have to see."
If Howard returns and with the addition of some youth, length and defensive ability on the perimeter, Bryant is confident the Lakers can compete next year.
"We need a couple of younger legs, long guys that can defend and can cover the floor on the perimeter," he said. "If we do that, I think we'll be all right."
As Howard's future remains uncertain with the Lakers, Bryant believes there won't be much going on in the Western Conference in terms of major signings.
"There's always so much talk going on, especially with big-name guys going here, going there, but that happens once in a blue moon," Bryant said on "The Mason & Ireland Show" on ESPN LA 710 radio on Wednesday. "I think at the end of the day, everybody stays."
Bryant says he's already begun his recruitment process to keep Howard with the Lakers.
"I spoke to him maybe a couple weeks ago, just to check in with him, see what he was doing, see what he was up to, see how his summer was going," Bryant said. "But I haven't spoken to him since. I know he's got a big decision to make and I'm sure he'll take the visits and talk to the players from the teams that he's considering. We'll touch base a lot more."
Bryant added how important it is for the Lakers that they secure Howard for the long term.
"It's not like you have guys like Dwight Howard just walking around every day," Bryant said. "Those guys are hard to find. They don't grow on trees. I think when you have somebody like that, with his talent level, you have to, you have to be able to keep him and lock him in with this franchise, and with the history that this franchise has of having great centers, this would, in my opinion, be the perfect spot for him."
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