Kobe Bryan to Be Released by Lakers after 2013-2014 NBA Season? 34-Year Old Entering 18th Year Becomes Free Agent After Contract Year

Kobe Bryan thinks his 25^th ranking is an understatement. Apparently the Lakers don't and might be able to let their perennial champion be released after he becomes a free agent after the upcoming NBA season.

Would the Lakers be crazy to let one of the most dominant shooting guards of the last 15 years go? Let's see Bryan is 34 years old going into the season after coming off a ruptured Achilles tendon that cut his season short last year.

According to Los Angeles Time sports columnist T.J. Simers, Kobe's free agent possibilites are definitely more potent than the Black Mamba may think.

"He becomes a free agent at the end of the season, and Jim Buss says because of the pay structure of the NBA, the Lakers will allow Kobe to become a free agent," Simers writes. "He says he has talked to Kobe and believes they have an understanding, Bryant waiting as a free agent while the team spends to upgrade and then using what is left over to pay Kobe. 'We've probably talked,' says Kobe while being somewhat vague, 'but I'm putting off any thought of that.' "

What level does Kobe think he'll be able to play at entering into his 18^th NBA season?

"I think I'll play like my normal self," Bryant said.

Do you think the Lakers could ever let Bryant become a free agent? How weird would it be to see Kobe in anything but purple and yellow?