Kobe Bryant's career in the National Basketball Association may be over if he is convicted of sexual assault.

Sex-offender treatment experts, lawyers and other observers of the Bryant case cite a number of factors that could douse the career of one of the league's brightest stars in relative infancy.

A frequently cited reason is the strict requirements of the mandatory intensive supervision that would accompany a sentence to probation or come with parole after any time spent in prison.

Simply put, that supervision program would make playing road games outside Bryant's state of residence highly problematic at the very least.

Even under a best-case post-conviction scenario for Bryant, should he be found guilty, sex offender supervision rules could conceivably create a situation in which Bryant could play only for the lowly Denver Nuggets - and even then appear only in home games.

For anyone facing Bryant's potential fate - a Colorado felony sex-offense conviction - securing authorities' permission for dozens of out-of-state business trips while under supervision is "not likely," said Kevin Nelan, sex-offender probation supervisor in Jefferson County.

"I can't recall anyone who has been allowed to travel out of state that frequently, who we've had on probation," said Nelan.

He was echoed by Denver defense attorney Dan Recht, a strong critic of Colorado's sex-offender laws and past president of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar.

"I'm not familiar with (sex-offender supervision officials) ever allowing anybody to do something like that," said Recht.

NBA teams play 41 road games a year, not counting the pre-season exhibition schedule, or any postseason play - something that has become commonplace for the Lakers in recent years, due in no small part to the contributions of Bryant, a five-time NBA All Star.

If Bryant is convicted of the charge he's facing, class-three felony sexual assault, his probation could last from 20 years to life.

Even if a plea bargain or other circumstances results in Bryant's conviction on the lesser charge of class-four felony sexual assault, his probation could still range from 10 years to life.

Many believe that only by avoiding a felony sex assault conviction of any kind, could Bryant, who turned 25 on Aug. 23, have an NBA future.