Report: Lakers To Take Wait-And-See Approach With Kobe
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Will Kobe Bryant be wearing purple and gold next season?
The Lakers have yet to open contract negotiations with the team's future Hall of Famer following the Achilles' tendon injury he suffered last season, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.
Under a current $87 million contract extension, Bryant will be paid more than $30 million for this upcoming season.
The season is set to mark his last, but Bryant's contract could again be renewed any time before July 2014.
Team officials are waiting to see how the 35-year-old bounces back after undergoing surgery in April, according to the Times.
Bryant, who has helped lead the Lakers to five NBA championships and two more Finals appearances in 17 seasons, has said he wants to play at least another two seasons for a shot at a sixth title.
When asked by late night host Jimmy Kimmel whether he would finish his career with the Lakers during "Kobe Up Close," a one-hour special taped at Nokia Theatre across from Staples Center, Bryant had only a one-word answer: "Yeah."
Neither Bryant nor the Lakers would comment on the report.
