The playing future of Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant beyond early 2016 is in question, but that doesn't mean that the "Black Mamba" won't try to recruit Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant when he enters free agency after the 2015-16 season.
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Bryant's future with the Lakers has been up in the air beyond his current two-year $48.5 million deal, which expires after the 2015-16 campaign. Durant has heaped praise on Bryant in the past and said he'd love to play with him someday down the road.
While Bryant didn't outright say he'd make an attempt to bring Durant to L.A., he didn't necessarily rule it out down the line either.
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"No, I think we know each other pretty well," Bryant told ESPN Los Angeles about his relationship with the reigning MVP. "I don't think it's a discussion that you have in terms of coming here. But I think it's more of an understanding how to play with each other. If the opportunity came up, then that's the time to have that discussion."
Bryant has been adamant about wanting to win a sixth NBA title and the Lakers are sure to be one of many teams lined up to try to lure Durant in the 2016 offseason, but whether Bryant is still active when that time comes remains to be seen.
"I don't know. Maybe," Bryant said about possibly returning after the 2015-16 campaign. "But it's really my call, man. If I want to play, I'll play. If I don't, I don't. If I don't want to play anymore and go through the process of getting my body ready day in and day out, I'm not going to play."
Durant recently came to the defense of Bryant in an interview with USA Today when asked about Bryant being a detractor to free agents due to his hostile personality causing possible hurdles in negotiations for the Lakers.
"Excuse my language, but that's [expletive]," Durant told the publication. "I want to play with a winner every single night, especially somebody who wants to win that bad, who works that hard, who demands a lot, who raises up your level. I'd want to play with a guy like that every day. ... [His style] may make people uncomfortable, how he acts and just how he approaches the game, but I love that type of stuff. I think [the accusation] is B.S."
Bryant said he "greatly appreciates" Durant's comments to the paper and that he was happy to gain the respect from another upper-tier player. The 16-time All-Star also heaped praise on the Thunder shooting guard.
"He's a constant learner like myself," Bryant said of Durant. "He's not afraid or embarrassed to ask questions about certain things just like Michael [Jordan] has done for me and other great players have done for me growing up. I'm more than happy to share what I know."
Bryant and Durant, who sprained his ankle in Thursday's 114-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors, will see their teams cross paths when the Lakers (8-17) host the Thunder (12-14) Friday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
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