A few days ago, former Los Angeles Lakers star Shaquille O’Neal successfully planted a rumor that Kobe Bryant could be planning to come out of retirement to play with LeBron James in Hollywood. So many took it seriously that Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, had to take to social media to dispel gossips about Kobe’s NBA return.

Well, if Vanessa thinks that it would be the end of these rumors, then good luck to her moderating the excitement of Kobe Bryant fans now that LeBron James himself isn’t counting out the possibility of him teaming up with the all-time great with the Lakers, per Jason Brow of Hollywood Life.

“LeBron is convinced Kobe could return and play again for the Lakers,” a source close to the NBA star EXCLUSIVELY tells HollywoodLife.com. “LeBron feels like despite what Kobe or his wife have said publicly, when the time comes, anything is possible.”

It also seems that James’ belief of Kobe’s return largely depends on the Lakers’ chances of making it to the playoffs.

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“LeBron hopes to make a run at the playoffs next season with the Lakers,” the insider tells HollywoodLife.com, “and he feels like Kobe is still strong enough to ball in the league. LeBron feels that Kobe is one of the greatest players ever and could still contribute.”

Although the odds are still long on Bryant making his way back to the league, James is reportedly hoping that the buzz for the Lakers ahead of the upcoming season will be enough to convince the former NBA MVP to lace it up again.

The insider adds that as the 2018-19 NBA season gets closer, LeBron hopes that Kobe will “get caught up in the Laker excitement and return to play, or at least contribute on the sidelines somehow.”

Does Kobe still have what it takes to be competitive in the NBA?