Heading into his 20th season in the NBA, it would seem like the basketball career of Kobe Bryant will be coming to an end very soon. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, it would make sense for Bryant to hang it up after this year. Kobe, however, could have a back-up plan if he leaves the NBA.
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As translated from El Periodico, Bryant said he would love to end his career overseas with FC Barcelona with his former teammate Pau Gasol, though Barcelona director of professional sports Albert Soler indicated that Bryant was joking:
The Laker has received the new section t-shirt basketball and joked with his limited Spanish, he would sign for one year.
“Bryant has said he is willing to help us in whatever we want and would like to finish his career at the club with Pau Gasol. It is a sign of the projection of the club in the world, “said Albert Soler , director of professional sports the Catalan club.
Even though Bryant was joking, it’s not too much of a stretch to see Bryant playing overseas for a season, especially if Gasol, one of his favorite teammates of all-time, would be there with him. FC Barcelona is one of Bryant’s favorite soccer clubs and both Pau and his brother Marc played for the club before coming over to the NBA.
As of right now, Kobe will most likely be retiring after this season, but he has always stopped short of making it official. Solely noted that Bryant was joking and that probably is what this was, but with Bryant’s childhood being spent overseas, finishing his career over there would seem more likely than any other recent superstar.
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