Kobe Bryant is nearing his retirement. He has been with the Los Angeles Lakers for more than half of his age and for his fans, the Black Mamba should spend his last professional basketball years at the Staples Center. Kobe thinks the same. However, for Lakers co-owner and president Jeanie Buss, seeing Bryant in another jersey should not be ruled out. After all, he is the team's most marketable player and they need to win games. That is by buying high caliber players.
In a Q&A interview with ESPN, Jeanie and his brother Jim talked about the Los Angeles Lakers history, the legacy of their father, and of course, Kobe Bryant who has just surpassed Chicago Bull legends in all-time scoring list. There are lot of things that the two Buss family members agreed on. However, they have different views when it comes to Kobe Bryant's future with the team.
When asked about a possible Kobe Bryant trade, Jim replied a with resounding no but the young Jeanie has a different take.
Jim: No. I love Kobe Bryant. I think L.A. loves Kobe Bryant. I don't envision him going anywhere. I don't see it.
Jeanie: I don't want to see Kobe Bryant leave. But we understand the realities of the sports world. Take Shaq, for example. He was traded and played for several other teams. But once he retired, he asked us to retire his jersey. He wanted to be remembered as a Laker. So while I get attached, I know what the realities are in this business. It's never going to change what we've accomplished together. But I don't look forward to the day that Kobe Bryant's not in purple and gold.
While Jim and Jeanie are divided when it comes to their view on possible Kobe Bryant trade, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak believes the 36-year old Black Mamba will retire as a Laker at the end of his two-year contract which is worth $48.5 million.
"All indications are, to me, from [Bryant], that this (two-year contract) is going to be it," said Kupchak, per David Aldridge of CBS Sports. "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."
