Kobe is never retiring, but I can understand why the Lakers hope he does. As long as Kobe is physically able to get up a shot, I think he tries to play somewhere.
Here is what Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak had to say via NBA.com.
“All indications are, to me, from him, that this (two-year contract) is going to be it,” Mitch Kupchak said. “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.”
That is a nice way of saying, if you want to come back it won’t be with the Lakers.