According to general manager Mitch Kupchak, Kobe’s last season is very close

The inevitable time is near, 17-time all-star, 5-time NBA Champion and future Hall-of-Fame inductee Kobe Bryant is believed to have reached his end and this upcoming 2015-2016 season will be his last in a Los Angeles uniform.  According to Los Angeles Lakers general manger Mitch Kupchak, Kobe Bryant has told GM and staff that the 2015-2016 season will be his last with the Lakers per ESPN.com. According to general manager Mitch Kupchak in a NBA SiriusXM Radio interview, he stated:

“He has indicated to me that this is it.” ”I think first and foremost, he’s on the last year of a deal, there have been no discussions about anything going forward. I don’t think there will be.”

He later goes on and talks further about his recovery stating:

“A year from now, if there’s something different to discuss, then it will be discussed then,” Kupchak said of Bryant potentially playing beyond 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.”

Kobe Bryant is set to receive a whooping $25 million in his final contract season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Now, even though he is in his final season and Mitch Kupchak “believes” this may be his last, Kobe has not completely ruled out playing beyond his years. Bryant, 37, is more than able to contribute to the Lakers at a high-level despite the season-ending injury that sidelined him and with the Lakers rebuilding process looking positive he may not want to sign out so quickly. Will be intresting to see what the future beholds.

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