Phil Jackson thinks Kobe might play for team other than Lakers

Kobe Bryant is entering his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers and many have assumed based on reports that the legendary player will retire after the year. Not so fast, my friends.

Speaking with the media on Friday, New York Knicks president Phil Jackson told reporters that he doesn’t think Kobe will retire yet. What’s more is that he thinks Kobe might play for another team.

“I don’t think this is his last year. Might be his last year as a Laker,” Jackson said via the Wall Street Journal’s Chris Herring.

Jackson also said he thinks Kobe is “going to be better than people think” this season, which would lead to more contract offers for the 37-year-old.

Back in May, Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak said Kobe told him this would be his last season. But Kobe said in August that he was unsure if he would retire, which goes hand-in-hand with Phil’s comments.

Fans have gotten used to seeing Kobe in purple and gold for his entire career and would have to really adjust to see him play for another team. Or maybe Kobe’s future following the season could be outside the NBA and in a foreign league as he has mused about many times in the past.