Kobe likes Lakers but will test waters

LOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant insisted Friday that he wants to be a Laker "for life," though he still plans to opt out of his contract and become a free agent this summer.

Responding to a report that he has already made it clear to the Lakers that he plans to leave, Bryant said the story was untrue.

"I want to be a Laker for the rest of my life. That hasn't changed," said Bryant, who has been with Los Angeles throughout his eight-year NBA career. "I've been a Laker fan since I was 6, and it's been a dream come true for me to play for the Lakers."

Bryant, speaking with reporters for about 30 minutes at an All-Star media availability session, is scheduled to go on trial over the summer on a sexual assault charge — an allegation he would not address Friday.

Bryant said he plans to opt out of his contract to experience what it would be like to be courted as a free agent.

The guard said he has kept in regular contact with general manager Mitch Kupchak, who faces the prospect of losing Bryant with nothing in return if the 25-year-old superstar decides to leave.

When it was pointed out that someone who wants to be a Laker for life should have no need to test free agency, Bryant stuck to his theme.

"It's just about exploring options. That doesn't mean I want to go somewhere else," Bryant said. "I'm not going to sit here and speculate and think too far in advance. I'm going to take my time and really think about this decision."

A report in the Los Angeles Daily News quoted four anonymous NBA sources, including three within the Lakers organization, as saying Bryant has been "boasting" his intention to leave to people within the organization.

"I've spoken to him recently, and he said he has not made his mind up, and if he did he'd tell me — and he has not told me," Kupchak told The Associated Press.

The NBA trading deadline is Thursday.

"Kobe's not going anywhere," Kupchak added.

Friday's developments in the Bryant saga added another layer of drama to the ever-changing dynamics surrounding the Lakers, whose season began with Bryant blasting teammate Shaquille O'Neal for being "fat and out of shape," deriding his leadership skills and accusing him of exaggerating injuries.

Bryant concluded those preseason comments by saying if he does leave the Lakers, "a major reason for that will be Shaq's childlike selfishness and jealousy."