Kobe Bryant recently admitted that he could announce his retirement after the 2015-16 NBA season, but Los Angeles Lakers owner Jim Buss said they are still open to offering a new deal to their superstar.

Buss told Los Angeles Times that the front office is aware that Bryant will likely retire after next season, but they know anything can happen between now and April.

And if Bryant decides to play beyond next season, Buss said that they will welcome the veteran with open arms, but he quickly added that the 37-year-old guard should understand his role in the team.

"He just has to know, at that age, and that many miles on you, what is your role?" Buss said. "We'll explain the role, and if he still wants to do that and that's how he wants to go out, that's fine with me."

Buss also took a swipe at critics who previously said that the Lakers made a mistake in offering a two-year deal worth $48.5 million in November 2013. Most analysts believe the deal hurt the Lakers because they could have offered bigger deals to previous big-name free agents.

But according to Buss, Bryant deserves the contract because the 17-time All-Star has done a lot for the franchise, including the five titles he won during his illustrious career.

"The man has done so much for the Lakers and the fans of the Laker nation, he deserves the money," Buss said. "I don't understand anybody trying to break down what I did for him. Let's break down what he did for us, then say, what is he worth? To me, he's worth that."

Bryant averaged 25.4 points on top of 5.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 19 seasons with the Lakers. However, he has been slowed down by injuries over the past several years.

Bryant's 2012-13 season was cut short after sustaining a torn Achilles tendon before the 2013 NBA Playoffs. After recovering from the injury, Bryant returned early in the 2013-14 season, but he sustained a broken knee just in his sixth game back from the Achilles tendon surgery.

The five-time NBA champion returned to play last season. He averaged 22.3 points to go along with 5.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 35 games before his season ended after sustaining a torn right rotator cuff.

During a recent interview with Yahoo Sports, Bryant declared that he is feeling good despite being bothered by injuries over the past three seasons.

"There are no question marks on what I can do," Bryant said. "My body and my legs feel extremely strong and healthy. That's the big difference. My upper body, I've been doing the weights and stuff like that. I've been kind of building up the upper body strength. The biggest change is I feel very, very solid in my legs."

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