In this era of the NBA, it is very rare for a player to play 10 consecutive years with the same team, let alone 20. Next year, however, Kobe Bryant will play his 20th season with the Los Angeles Lakers which will make him the first player in NBA history to play that many years with the same team.
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Lakers President Jeanie Buss appeared on Bleacher Report Radio’s NBA Sunday Tip and said that she is looking at this season as a celebration of Kobe’s 20 years with the team according to Ethan J. Skolnick:
On @br_radio "NBA Sunday Tip," @JeanieBuss on Kobe Bryant: "I look at this season as a celebration of his 20 years with the Lakers."
— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) April 26, 2015
As arguably the most decorated Lakers player ever, it makes sense that the franchise would want to celebrate Kobe in his 20th and likely final season in purple and gold. Kobe has done so much for the team during his time here, winning five championships with the team and providing some of the most memorable moments in Lakers history.
The Lakers are hoping to have a major turnaround in Kobe’s final season so that his final season doesn’t wind up like the previous two Lakers seasons. With as many as three draft picks and around $30 million in cap space, that change is very possible as the Lakers will look to send Kobe off with a playoff run in his last season as well.
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