The Lakers will reportedly retire Kobe Bryant’s jersey in December

Kobe Bryant getting his jersey retired by the Los Angeles Lakers isn’t news, it was an inevitability. The franchise’s leading scorer and top player in so many other marks was always going to see his old digits hanging in the rafters of Staples Center one day, but we now know exactly when that day will likely be, with TMZ reporting the Lakers will retire Bryant’s jersey on Dec. 18 before the Lakers take on the Golden State Warriors.

This isn’t exactly an official announcement, but if it’s true it’s a well-deserved honor for arguably the greatest player to ever wear a Lakers uniform and one of the top scorers in NBA history. Still, Bryant’s jersey retirement leaves more questions than answers. Will it be No. 8 or No. 24 raised to the roof? Both? Just a picture of Bryant’s five rings?

It’s impossible to know the answers to those questions right now, but this is still huge. Up next will surely be a statue for Bryant, as well as what will surely be a first-ballot Hall of Fame induction. Stay tuned to Silver Screen and Roll for more on this story as it develops, and get to ticket sites quick because the prices for these games are going to go up FAST.

Harrison Faigen is co-host of the Locked on Lakers podcast (subscribe here), and you can follow him on Twitter at @hmfaigen.