After undergoing torn rotator cuff surgery that limited him to 35 games last season, Kobe Bryant says he will be ready to practice when the Los Angeles Lakers open training camp.
“My understanding is that he’ll be ready for camp,” Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said told USA Today.
The 37-year-old Bryant is entering the final year of his $48.5 million contract extension and there has been talk that this will be his final season.
His past three seasons each have been curtailed by injuries, and the torn rotator cuff surgery he had in April was expected to keep him out until the season began.
“Knowing Kobe, he will try to participate in every practice in camp,” Kupchak said. “But myself and (coach) Byron (Scott) are going to have something to say about that. So I’m sure there will be a practice or two or three where we won’t let him practice, but I do expect him to be full bore at camp.”
Bryant’s shooting percentage plummeted to around 37 percent from the field despite averaging 22.3 points per game last season.
The Lakers open camp later this month and have exhibition games scheduled at the University of Hawaii against Utah on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5.