The 2015-16 NBA season will most likely be Kobe Bryant‘s last with the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant, who is now 36 years old, will make $25 million in the final year of his contract next season. This is largest salary in the league, and the Lakers will welcome his departure when that number comes off of their books next offseason.

Recently, GM Mitch Kupchak expressed these views in speaking with Mark Medina of the LA Daily News. Kupchak stated that Los Angeles is “not going to pick a player because he can play with Kobe, likes Kobe or dislikes Kobe.” Kupchak, instead, has elected to target players who he thinks will have respectable NBA careers.

Kupchak and the rest of the Lakers organization has implemented this plan due to Bryant’s growing injury concerns. He has only played in 41 games total in the past two seasons, and his performances in those appearances have left a lot to be desired. The numbers that Bryant has produced over the past two seasons are pitiful for his standards. During this time, he has averaged 4.0 turnovers per game, while shooting only 37.8 percent from the field and 28.5 percent from behind the arc.

With Los Angeles in the midst of a clear rebuilding process that has the team transitioning to younger talent, it is almost impossible for the aging Bryant to live up to his large salary. Of course, anything the Lakers can get out of Bryant this upcoming year will be helpful, as the roster lacks an array of capable scorers. However, when the time comes to replace Bryant, the Lakers will be happy to move on from the washed-up superstar.

Nicholas Sciria is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Nick_Sciria, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.