Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant may be staying in the league for one more year then retiring, says a new report.
The Hollywood Reporter said in a new article that the 36-year-old basketball icon will play one more season to finish his remaining two-year contract extension and that will be it. At the end of the next season, Bryant stands to net $25 million.
This isn't the first time that we've heard of a possible retirement. Fans have known this is a possibility with the star's increasing age as well as his recent season-ending injury.
Additionally, Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak has already expressed he expected the NBA champion -- who has had 19 years in the league -- to retire after next season, reported ESPN.
"All indications are, to me, from him, that this [two-year contract extension] is going to be it," Kupchak told the website. "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."
However, Huffington Post does note the odd timing of the statement following an NBA interview (via ESPN) where Bryant discussed being hopeful of having a career "rebirth."
While Kobe acknowledged there's no way to know if he'll be able to return after his current injury but he can't rule this out as the end.
"I can't say it is the end," Bryant said in the interview, which aired Monday night. "I thought the Spurs were done 20 years ago. Those guys are still winning.
"So, to answer the question, I can't say this is the end of my era because I thought their [era] was done, and they're still there. So I'm hoping I can have the same rebirth," said the Lakers legend in the interview titled, "Kobe: The Interview. "
The Hollywood Reporter claims that its info is based on the statements of Bryant in upcoming documentary "Kobe Bryant's Muse," airing Saturday. The production is produced by Gotham Chopra and reports Kobe is open to a career behind the camera.
The interview is said to touch on his experiences as one of the most talked about stars in the league. With a life that has been held under the microscope for all his career, Kobe says the film's production was "100 percent therapeutic."
He also discussed his 2003 sexual assault charges, going into the NBA right after high school and how Michael Jackson inspired him.
