Lakers Rumors: Kobe Bryant To Retire After 2015-16?
Kobe Bryant could retire after the 2015-16 season, says Los Angeles Lakers GM
Mitch Kupchak did an interview with NBA.com about the future of Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers and revealed that he believes Bryant will retire after the 2015-16 season, when his two-year, $48.5 million contract extension expires. It would be a fitting end for one of the greatest players to ever play basketball.
As we’ve learned over the years, we can’t count the Black Mamba out, but if anyone has their finger on the pulse of this situation, it’s Lakers GM Kupchak, who had this to say:
"All indications are, to me, from him, that this [two-year contract extension] is going to be it. If somebody’s thinking of buying a ticket three years from now to see Kobe play, I would not do that. Don’t wait. Do it this year."
Nobody could blame Kobe for hanging it up at that point, as he hasn’t been the same player since he suffered through two major injuries that limited him to just six games in the 2013-14 season. Bryant has been relatively healthy during 2014-15, but it’s obvious that he’s just not the same player he once was.
Some may point at the surrounding cast, but Bryant has had poor teammates in the past and was still able to pull them through. The Lakers are just 5-16 at this point and Kobe’s 25.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game haven’t been enough to make the Lakers competitive. Kobe is shooting a career low 38.9 percent from the field, 27.3 percent from three and a 79.3 percent from the foul line (also a career-low).
Bryant himself seems to know the end is near, as he talked about life after basketball and how he feels about it.
"You really have to lean on muses and mentors going forward, just as I did as a kid. It’s about having that next wave of things, which is scary as hell, but it’s fun at the same time."
If his basketball career is any indication, whatever Bryant decides to do after basketball will be a rousing success. The Hall of Famer with five NBA championships has been a winner in everything he’s ever done. It’s time to start celebrating him, as the Mamba’s days on a basketball court are numbered.