Jim Buss open to Kobe Bryant stay beyond next season

Los Angeles Lakers president Jim Buss has revealed that he is open to having Kobe Bryant with the club beyond the end of next season.

Bryant has suggested that the next NBA campaign will be the last in his career, which would end his 20-year stay in the league, although the past two seasons have been blighted by injuries.

Despite his lack of playing time, Buss is adamant that the 36-year-old can have a future with the team, but may have to accept a different role with Doc Rivers's men.

"My arms are like this," Buss told the Los Angeles Times, holding his arms wide open, about Bryant's future.

"He just has to know, at that age, and that many miles on you, what is your role?

"We'll explain the role, and if he still wants to do that and that's how he wants to go out, that's fine with me."

Bryant has been named an NBA All-Star 17 times in his career.