Kobe Bryant insists he's not sure what will happen between him and the only NBA team he has ever played for when he is slated to become a free agent at the end of the season.

"Next summer is next summer," the Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Fame bound guard told Yahoo! "How do I know what is going to happen? Jim Buss just said they're going to start conversations. We will start the conversations and go from there. I'll let my agent handle that. Obviously, I have a lot to focus on right now."

Rehabbing the torn Achilles he suffered late last season heads his to-do list. Bryant told Yahoo! he's not sure when he might be able to return, but maintained he doesn't plan to play until he can perform at an "exceptional level."

Bryant also insisted he is fueled by all those who say whenever he does return he won't be the same player.

"I'm going to be the way I've always been," he told Yahoo! " Maybe a little better. It's always interesting, it's motivating to hear people doubt me. The same guys put the nail in my coffin six years ago. They're still trying."

As for all those rumors about the Lakers perhaps targeting fellow free agent to-be and close friend Carmelo Anthony this summer, Bryant chose to play coy.

"He's in New York. I'm in L.A. I have no idea what he is going to do or what he is thinking about," he said.