Retirement speculations flocked the headlines as it was reported that Kobe Bryant will be hitting the sack soon. News emerged earlier this month that Bryant is once again thinking about retiring [which he's been doing over the past few seasons].
As per For The Win website, while Bryant was guesting on the Sirius XM NBA channel, the basketball superstar announced that he "might" push though with his retirement plans.
Though these may be just retirement speculations, Hollywood Life was able to get an exclusive statement in regards to Kobe's retirement. As per the website, the 37-year-old LA Lakers player won't be going anywhere.
Next year will be his 20th year the NBA, and Kobe would want to celebrate his 20th anniversary on court. A source exclusively told the news website that:
"He has been mulling the retirement question for a while, but [his] intentions are to continue to play with the NBA."
It may be good news for his fans, but it seems like Mitch Kupchack, Lakers general manager, told him that "this is it."
The source then added that Kobe would still want to go on top.
"He doesn't want to have his career end on such a sour note, with how this season is going so far."
Kobe does have a point when he would opt to get back up. His LA Lakers team as of the moment is not in good shape as they have been struggling this season. His team haven't had a taste of high quality success since 2010.
Back in January of this year during his interview with LA Times, Kobe did share that he's not that fit like he's used to.
"My body is hurting like crazy, around the clock, and if I don't want to do this anymore, I won't do it."