Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant announced in November of 2015 that this would be his last season in the NBA. After 20 years, the super star was finally calling it quits.
But Washington Wizards head coach Randy Wittman doesn't think it's time for the shooting guard to hang it up. In fact, he wants Bryant in D.C. with him.
Randy Wittman on Kobe: "I don't know why he's retiring. I might ask him to come play for the Wizards next year." https://t.co/G9RP9jzX3H
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) March 28, 2016
Bryant, 37, still knows how to put the ball in the hoop. He's averaging 17.1 points, four rebounds and three assists for the Lakers this year. No, he's not the franchise player he once was. But if he wanted to stick around, he could help a team in a more complimentary/secondary role.
Wittman's comments may have been less serious than we're making them out to be (we know he was mostly joking), but it wouldn't be unprecedented for an aging to star to hang on just a bit longer. However, Bryant has left little wiggle room for such a move if it wasn't with his long-time L.A. team.
"I'm a Laker for life," Bryant said back in November when he made his retirement announcement. "I'm not playing anywhere else, no matter what. It's just not going to happen."
With Los Angeles now focusing on developing their young talent, an extended run with Kobe isn't going to happen either.
While Bryant is shooting a career worst 36.0 percent from the field this year, he could still produce as a scoring option off the bench for a contending team. Whether or not he views the Wizards, 36-37, as a contending team is another conversation entirely.
Granted, a return next year from Bryant is the longest of shots. He has dealt with a litany of injuries ranging from nagging to serious over the last few years. His body has taken enough punishment following two decades of NBA service. Why would he want to wear another jersey after all this time? The answer: he wouldn't, most likely.
Bryant certainly wouldn't come to a new team as the No. 1 option he is used to being. Those days are gone, though we'd be lying if we said we weren't interested in seeing him mentor John Wall.
The Lakers are a disappointing 15-58 right now and no amount of field goal attempts from Bryant is going to change that. Don't expect him to suddenly change course and return in a reduced role for middle-of-the-pack team like the Wizards.
Keep dreaming, Wittman.
