The 2015-16 NBA season is most expected to be an encore for Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant. Entering his 20th season and working back from another significant injury, Kobe’s supposed finish is not shaped out to be a glorious one.
But if Kobe were to decide he wants to go out differently, perhaps outside of the NBA, it could be an overseas move with his favorite Spaniard.
via El Periodico:
“Bryant has told us he would be willing to help us with whatever and that he would like to finish his career with Barça next to Pau Gasol,” said FC Barcelona’s director of pro sports Albert Soler. “I don’t know if an NBA star finishing his career in Europe is something realistic or not, but in the end it’s the players who make the call on where they play.”
Bryant won two championships with Gasol on the Lakers in 2009 and 2010. This would definitely be unheard of, and for someone of Kobe’s caliber to pull it off seems fathomable. Both Kobe and Pau’s contracts expire after next season, plus Kobe grew up in Italy and is fluent in Spanish and Italian.
Kobe’s inner desire and capability to continue competing after next season is probably the most general determining factor for this kind of outcome, but if it were to happen, we’d see for the first time one of the greatest players ever choose to finish his playing career abroad.
