Mitch Kupchak expects Kobe Bryant to make strong return

General Manager Mitch Kupchak has high expectations that All-Star guard Kobe Bryant will make a strong return this season, after missing all but six games last year with Achilles and knee injuries.

“I think he’s going to have an excellent year,” said Kupchak on Friday at the Lakers’ practice facility. “I’ve watched throughout the summer ... He looks really good. He says he feels great. No ill effects on either injury.”

Bryant averaged just 13.8 points a game, with 6.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds in his brief stint. The Lakers struggled without him, finishing with the team’s worst record since moving to Los Angeles (27-55).

While the veteran spent all of last offseason recuperating from Achilles surgery, he’s been healthy this summer, steadily preparing his comeback.

“He’s been working every day. I get reports. I’ve seen him personally,” said Kupchak. “I know he’s working and speaking with [Coach] Byron [Scott] on a daily or semi-daily basis.”

“If he walked into the room, or he walked on the court and ran up and down the court, you couldn’t tell he blew out an Achilles tendon or broke a bone in his knee last year,” continued Kupchak. “He looks conditioning-wise, his weight is great. I think he’s down 10-12 pounds over last year. There’s no limp.”

The Lakers didn’t make any drastic moves to improve over the offseason. Pau Gasol left to join the Chicago Bulls but the team added rookie Julius Randle, veteran Carlos Boozer and re-signed scoring guard/forward Nick Young to a long-term deal.

The team tried to lure stars like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony this summer, but were unsuccessful.

Bryant will have to be the key to whatever success the team has this season.

“I think you’ll see a player, similar to what you saw two years ago,” said Kupchak. “He’ll do as much as he has to do to put us in the best chance to win.”

Prior to his April 2013 Achilles injury, Bryant had one of his strongest overall regular seasons -- averaging 27.3 points with 6.0 assists and 5.6 rebounds a games, while shooting 46.3% from the field.

Can he pick right back up at that level at the age of 36, following two serious injuries?

“He’ll be very effective,” said Kupchak. “I don’t think for a second if we need 30 from him or 35 one night, I think he can get it.”

“[Bryant will] play differently than he played 10 years ago,” he continued. “His explosiveness understandably isn’t going to be what it was 10 years ago, but I’m not worried about that.”

Minute management will be up to the team’s coach.

“I do know Kobe wants to play,” said Kupchak. “That will be a challenge within itself, if there is a mandate to restrict minutes or games.”

Bryant will start a two-year, $48.5-million contract extension this season. The franchise has high hopes he’ll be one of the top players in the league over that span.

The Lakers open training camp on Monday with their annual media day. The team opens the preseason schedule on Oct. 6 in San Diego (Valley View Casino Center) against the Denver Nuggets.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.