Kobe Bryant Return: Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak Gives No Timetable for Bryant's Return

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak gave no timetable for the return of injured superstar Kobe Bryant, who is still recovering from a surgery that repaired a torn left Achilles.

In an interview before the start of training camp as reported by ESPN, Kupchak said that there are no real expectations, but he is quite optimistic that Bryant will be fully healthy in the upcoming season.

"No real expectations," Kupchak said. "I do believe that Bryant will get back and he'll play this season. You won't be able to look at him and say that he's hurt. In other words, some guys like myself when I hurt my knee, I always had a limp. You won't be able to tell with Bryant."

After undergoing surgery in April, the team said that Bryant will need six to nine months to recover. But during a promotional tour in China last month, the 35-year-old guard said that is due to shatter the normal timetable for recovery.

Lakers vice president of player personnel Jim Buss also predicted that Bryant will recover in time for their preseason games on Oct. 5th against the Golden State Warriors in California.

Meanwhile, Kupchak also addressed the contract status of Bryant, who is in the final year of his current contract, saying that both parties have yet to sit down and talk about a contract extension. He said that the extension will depend on how Bryant will play once he returns from the injury.

"There have been no contract extension talks," Kupchak said. "I would suspect that at some point this season we'll sit down. Whether it's Kobe and I or Kobe and his representative, Rob Pelinka, and talk about a road map for the future. But Kobe has made it clear that he intends to retire in a Laker uniform, and I know as an organization we feel the same way."

Bryant, who averaged 27.3 points to go along with 6.0 assists and 5.6 rebounds last season, is due to receive $30.45 million in the final year of his current deal with the Lakers.