The Associated Press
Phil Jackson doubts this is Kobe Bryant’s final season – though thinks it may be Bryant’s last in Los Angeles.
With Bryant going into the last season of his contract and coming off a couple of injury-shortened seasons, his future will be one of the biggest questions around the NBA this season.
Jackson, who coached Bryant to five NBA championships with the Lakers, says: “I don’t think it’s his last year. Sounds like it may be his last year as a Laker.”
Jackson, now the Knicks’ president of basketball operations, says he sent Bryant a message last month for his 37th birthday.
Bryant has played his entire career with the Lakers after they acquired his rights from Charlotte in the 1996 draft. He was limited to six games in 2013-14 because of Achilles and knee injuries, and made it through only 35 last season before shoulder surgery.
MINNESOTA NOT TRADING RUBIO
As the Minnesota Timberwolves prepare to open training camp, rumors have circulated that point guard Ricky Rubio is available via trade.
General manager Milt Newton tells The Associated Press that the Wolves “are not talking to anybody about trading Ricky.”
Rubio was limited to 22 games last season due to an ankle injury and is starting a new four-year, $56 million contract. He will turn 25 next month and has suffered serious injuries in two of his first four seasons in the league.
Newton calls Rubio “one of the best facilitators in the league.” The Wolves believe they need the flashy playmaker to take charge of a young core featuring Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, the last two No. 1 overall draft picks.
The Timberwolves open training camp on Tuesday.
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