Will Kobe’s Looming Retirement Impact the Lakers’ Draft and Free-Agency Plan?

While Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a SiriusXM NBA Radio interview that Kobe Bryant has indicated he will not be returning to the team after the 2015-16 season, the star himself appeared to push back against retirement talk in a tweet Friday afternoon.

How will Kobe's possible retirement affect the Lakers in free agency? Will they lose potential added star power without their franchise player as a selling point? 

Bleacher Report senior writer Ric Bucher breaks down what the Lakers could face in the free-agent market should Kobe hang it up after next season. 

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