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Mitch Kupchak: 'Kobe Bryant will retire in 2016'

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak believes that Kobe Bryant will retire when his contract expires in 2016.

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has claimed that Kobe Bryant will retire from the game when his current deal expires.

Bryant signed an extension last year and Kupchak believes that the future NBA Hall of Famer will retire when the deal runs out in 2016.

"All indications are, to me, from him, that this [two-year contract extension] is going to be it," Kupchak told NBA.com.

"If somebody's thinking of buying a ticket three years from now to see Kobe play, I would not do that. Don't wait. Do it this year."

The 36-year-old is in his 19th season in the league, all with the Lakers, but he has suffered with injuries in recent years.

Bryant is averaging 25.2 points, 5.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game so far this season and he has yet to state his plans for when his contract expires.

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