Kobe Bryant admitted that he is unsure of returning after the 2015-16 NBA season, but reiterated that he will not force the Los Angeles Lakers to sign superstars in the offseason.

Bryant, who was ruled out for the remainder of the current season after suffering a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, said in a recent interview that he never had doubts about coming back next season.

"Who the hell said I was retiring next year?" Bryant said via ESPN. "There was never a question for me, whether or not I was going to play next year. It was never a question."

And when asked if he is open to signing a new deal after his current deal expires next year, Bryant said that he could still play competitive basketball, but he is unsure at this point if he will still be open to playing another season for the Lakers after suffering from major injuries over the past several years.

"As I sit here right now, do I want to play after next year? No," said Bryant, who was also sidelined by a torn Achilles and broken knee before hurting his elbow this season.

Without Bryant, the Lakers are now out of the playoff race as they are currently in 14th place in the Western Conference with their 17-46 record – just three games ahead of the last-placed Minnesota Timberwolves (14-49).

Talking about the future of the team, Bryant expressed confidence that their front office led by general manager Mitch Kupchak will make the necessary moves in the offseason to build a competitive team for next season.

However, Bryant reiterated that he will not demand team executives to sign players that he would love to play with next season, saying that he will give their front office the needed room for them to make the necessary moves this summer.

"I'm not involved like that -- and I don't want to be," Bryant said, when asked about providing a list of free agents players that the Lakers should sign. "You've got to give them space and let them do their job. They'll come to me. Mitch, we've had a great relationship in talking. He'll come to me when the time is right."

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