Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant hasn't ruled out playing beyond his current contract. With another few seasons possibly still in Bryant, Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski believes the future Hall of Famer is "auditioning for free agents" this summer by using the season to prove he can still play at a high level.
Bryant has one more year left on his contract, but that doesn't mean he plans on retiring after that. He's looked like vintage Kobe this season, and that could encourage him to seek another contract extension when his current one expires in 2016.
"Should the right combination of talent come in the summer of 2015 - and the prospects of more await a year later - Bryant doesn't rule out signing another deal beyond his contract expiration in '16," Wojnarowski wrote Wednesday.
Los Angeles is head to the draft lottery, but Bryant has at least one reason to continue putting up terrific numbers.
"In a lot of ways, (Bryant is) auditioning for free agents this summer. They need to see that he's no dinosaur, that he can still deliver," Wojnarowski wrote. "The idea no one wanted to play with Bryant was a flawed premise, a shallow reality. The Lakers never pursued the frontline players on the market, sparing salary-cap space for superstar classes in 2015 and '16."
Wojnarowski mentioned Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Love, who's been linked to the Lakers before, as one of general manager Mitch Kupchak's possible targets in July. Rajon Rondo, Goran Dragic and Greg Monroe could also be potential free-agent targets for the Lakers.
