Kobe Bryant signed a two-year extension with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2013, but general manager Mitch Kupchak believes the five-time NBA champion will retire when the deal expires following the 2015-16 campaign.
Kupchak and Bryant agreed to a two-year $48.5 million pact that will keep Bryant in Purple and Gold through the 2015-16 season, but Kupchak thinks that will be it for him.
"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."
Bryant, 36, was held to just six games last season after dealing with injuries, including an Achilles tear that ended his campaign. Bryant has played in 21 games this year and has adjusted his regimen to make sure his legs stay fresh in his 19th season with the Lakers.
Bryant is averaging 25.2 points, 5.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game, but the team has struggled overall this season.
The 16-time NBA All-Star hasn't addressed publicly what he plans to do with himself after the two-year contract expires, but he did reveal in a documentary for Showtime that he worries about his post-basketball life.
"You really have to lean on muses and mentors going forward, just as I did as a kid," Bryant said, according to ESPN. "It's about having that next wave of things, which is scary as hell, but it's fun at the same time.''
Bryant has been adamant about wanting to win a sixth championship with Los Angeles before calling it a career, but the Lakers aren't quite in the hunt for one thus far.
After finishing with a franchise-worst 27-55 record in 2013-14, the Lakers are 5-16 and own the second-worst record in the NBA.
Los Angeles hosts the Sacramento Kings (11-10) Tuesday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
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