Lakers All-Star guard Kobe Bryant says he intends to become a free agent after the 2003-04 season, according to ESPN's Jim Gray.

 

Bryant

But the Lakers don't plan to let him leave without a fight.

"If he does opt out," Los Angeles general manager Mitch Kupchak said, "we'll do everything we can to keep him, and we think we will."

Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal have been the catalysts for three world championships from 2000-02. Drafted by Charlotte in 1996 but traded less than a month later to the Lakers, Bryant has never played for another team.

But he's hinted at wanting to explore options besides the Lakers before. This is the first time, though, that he's said he'll consider his options as a free agent.

According to Gray, Bryant plans to opt out of his contract because he isn't sure what will happen to Lakers coach Phil Jackson; he wants to see what the Lakers' plans for the future are; and because he's never had the chance to test the free-agent market.

He also wants to know the conditioning and motivation of O'Neal, according to Gray.

Jackson indicated Bryant has yet to tell the team of his intentions.

"I thought it was a little premature to make that statement," Jackson said. "Kobe exercising his option, that's not beyond the realm of reason. We've anticipated the possibility for a long time, but we'll wait until we hear it from him."