Kobe says he hopes to be able to shoot within 2 months

Good news, Lakers fans: Kobe Bryant is making progress in rehabbing his shoulder injury.

Bryant's comeback season was cut short in January by a torn rotator cuff. Prior to his injury, Bryant averaged 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 34.5 minutes per game. He also managed to surpass Michael Jordan and move into third place on the all-time scoring list.

Speaking to Sina Sports on Tuesday, Bryant provided an update on the status of his shoulder.

"It's going very well, the strength of my shoulder is getting better and better by the day," Bryant said. "Hopefully I'll be shooting in a month, a month and a half, then I'll feel like a fish being put back into water."

All indications suggest that next season (Bryant's 20th in the NBA) will be his last. He will earn $25 million in the final year of a three-year, $83-million deal.

The Lakers set a franchise-low in win percentage last season, but reinforcements are on the way. The Lakers will have prized prospect Julius Randle back for next season along with the spoils of the second overall pick in this summer's draft. Add that to the Lakers' significant cap room (up to $23 million if they eschew Jordan Hill's $9 million option) and Los Angeles could give Bryant a decent final send-off.