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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Jackson expects Kobe will move on

Associated Press

GREENBURGH, N.Y. – Phil Jackson doubts this is Kobe Bryant’s final season – though thinks it may be Bryant’s last in Los Angeles.

With Bryant going into the last season of his contract and coming off a couple of injury-shortened seasons, his future will be among the biggest questions around the NBA this season.

“I don’t think it’s his last year,” Jackson said Friday. “Sounds like it may be his last year as a Laker, but I think that’s kind of what came out of there.”

Jackson, who coached Bryant to five NBA championships with the Lakers, is now the Knicks’ president of basketball operations. He said he sent Bryant a message last month for his 37th birthday.

Bryant has played his entire career with the Lakers after they acquired his rights from Charlotte in the 1996 draft. He was limited to six games in 2013-14 because of Achilles and knee injuries, and made it through only 35 last season before shoulder surgery.

He isn’t expected to decide on his future until after this season.

Bryant is the NBA’s No. 3 career scorer, and there would likely be interest if he wants to play on – perhaps even from the Knicks.