“I’m not going anywhere,” Bryant said yesterday. “I know I ain’t going nowhere, so it’s just a waste of our breaths just talking about it.”
Bryant, who has spent his entire 13-year career and won four titles with the Lakers, has the option to terminate the last two years of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
He met with Jackson and Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak to discuss the future on Friday.
Kupchak, speaking to reporters before Bryant did, said the team had “no indication of what he may or may not do.”
Jackson said he’ll decide about next season after taking care of some health matters.
He missed two road games this season because of pain and swelling in his lower legs related to plantar fasciitis. He has undergone two hip surgeries since October 2006.
“I’m feeling good,” said Jackson, who inked a two-year contract extension last season and has the option on the second year.
While Jackson’s contract specifies a date which he must tell the Lakers if he wants to opt out, Kupchak said the team were willing to give him time to seek medical advice.
“That date is fast approaching next week,” Kupchak said. “We’re talking about hopefully getting him to indicate to us in the next week or two or three his decision.”
