Kobe Bryant will need a star to replace him if he does indeed retire when his contract is up in the summoer of 2016. At that time Bryant will have a decision to make, and the Lakers could end up making it for him.
Either way, Kevin Durant will be a free agent at the same time Bryant’s contract is up. A lot of the big signings over the past few seasons were pulled off because guys from those respective franchises started the recruitment process early in the game.
John Wall has spoken up about wanting to play with Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony would love him in New York, and the Heat are always looking for their next big star as well.
Who will recruit Kevin Durant to the Lakers? The obvious choice is Kobe Bryant, but the Lakers star told Baxter Holmes of ESPN.com that “he’s not ready to start his recruitment of Durant.”
while Bryant said he hasn’t yet recruited Durant, who is set to become a free agent in 2016, Bryant didn’t rule out trying to lure last season’s MVP to the Lakers either.
“No, I think we know each other pretty well,” Bryant said Thursday at the Lakers’ practice facility here, leading into Friday’s game between the Thunder (12-13) and Lakers (8-17) at Staples Center.
“I don’t think it’s a discussion that you have in terms of coming here. But I think it’s more of an understanding how to play with each other.”
Bryant hinted at having the discussion when the times is right.
The chatter will start because Durant came to Bryant’s defense earlier this week, saying that i’s bullsh*t that others store don’t want to play with Kobe.
