Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant confirmed he doesn't plan to retire after the season, despite his latest injury. Dallas Mavericks point guard Rajon Rondo, meanwhile, didn't deny wanting to play with Bryant and didn't commit to staying in Dallas after the season.
Bryant's torn rotator cuff, his third straight season-ending injury, won't stop him from playing out the final year of his contract.
"Who the hell said I'm retiring next year?" Bryant asked, via ESPN. "There was never a question for me, whether or not I was going to play next year."
He didn't rule out the possibility of playing beyond next season, either.
"Yeah, I could," Bryant answered when asked about it. "As I sit here right now, do I want to play after next year? No. That could change."
He also said he wants to pass the torch to the Lakers' next star before retiring.
"I'd much rather hand the keys over to somebody and let them take this organization right from the jump," Bryant said. "I'd much rather do that. Hopefully we can. But if not, even when I'm retired, that's one of the things that I'll be hell-bent on ... to make sure this franchise gets back to where it needs to be."
That player could be Rondo.
Bryant has openly praised Rondo's talent and competitiveness, and he told the Boston Herald earlier in the season he wouldn't stop recruiting Rondo until the point guard signed a new contract this summer. Things have yet to work out in Dallas, with Rondo struggling in the offense and reportedly at odds with coach Rick Carlisle. That could all lead to Rondo bolting after the season as a free agent, and the Lakers would have enough cap space - around $22 million, per Basketball Insiders - to at least make Rondo a sizeable offer. The allure of the Lakers being a big-market team, along with the prospect of inheriting the historic franchise from Bryant, could be enough to make Rondo forego playing on a title-contending team.
As for Rondo, he didn't deny wanting to play with Bryant. Nor did he commit to Dallas beyond this season.
"He's one of the best that's ever played our game," Rondo said. "When he speaks, it speaks volumes. It's an honor and a compliment that he'd want to play with a guy like me. But right now I'm focused on winning a championship with the Dallas Mavericks."
