Lakers’ Kobe Bryant says he hasn’t made free agency pitch to Kevin Durant….yet

In this file photo, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) talks during a foul shot in the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, March 5, 2013. Oklahoma City won 122-105. (Sue Ogrocki/The Associated Press)

In this file photo, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) talks during a foul shot in the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, March 5, 2013. Oklahoma City won 122-105. (Sue Ogrocki/The Associated Press)

Plenty of time awaits before the 2016 offseason strikes. Plenty of circumstances could determine how the free agency sweepstakes play out.

But with Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant becoming a free agent in 2016, consider him as the Lakers’ top player they will pursue.

“That’s safe to say,” said a league source familiar with the Lakers’ thought process.

So with the Lakers having their sights on Durant in 2016, has Kobe Bryant made an early free agency pitch?

“No, I think we know each other pretty well,” Bryant said on Thursday at the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo. “I don’t think it’s a discussion that you have in terms of coming here. But I think it’s more of an understanding how to play with each other.”

Bryant played with Durant on the U.S. Olympic team in the 2012 Beijing Olympics. Both Durant and Bryant have talked glowingly about how the Lakers’ star has mentored the Thunder’s star over the years. Recently, Durant told USA Today that “I’d want to play with a guy like that every day” and he used in expletive in describing the notion that Bryant’s demanding leadership style and high-volume shooting deters star free agents from joining the Lakers.

Bryant said he “I greatly appreciate” Durant’s comments, but noted his free agency recruiting will have to wait. The reasons have nothing to do with the Lakers (8-17) hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder (12-13) Friday at Staples Center.

“If the opportunity came up,” Bryant said, “then that’s the time to have that discussion.”

Bryant’s contract worth $48.5 million ends following the 2015-16 season, which would ensure a 20-year career that currently entails five NBA championships and a third-place standing on the league’s all-time scoring list. The Lakers would then have room to sign two players to max contracts, including Durant. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has said he believes Bryant will retire once his contract expires. But Lakers coach Byron Scott has held out hope Bryant would change his sentiments if the Lakers assemble a competitive roster.

If the Lakers secure Durant, or any star player, would that prompt Bryant to lace it up?

“I don’t know. Maybe,” Bryant said. “But it’s really my call, man. If I want to play, I’ll play. If I don’t, I don’t. If I don’t want to play anymore and go through the process of getting my body ready day in and day out, I’m not going to play.”

The Lakers’ interest in Durant speaks for itself.

The five-time NBA All-Star and last season’s league MVP has averaged 21.5 points per game on 50.4 percent shooting after a surgically repaired fracture in his right foot kept him out for the team’s first 17 games. The 26-year-old Durant became the youngest player to score 15,000 points, prompting Scott to predict both Durant and LeBron James will eventually end up with at least 30,000 career points.

Scott raved about Durant’s versatility as a 6″11 forward. Bryant praised Durant on evolving from a perimeter player and to a post player.

“He puts a lot of work and effort into trying to be the best player he can be,” Scott said of Durant. “Obviously he’s one of the best in this league and is a unique player.”

A Lakers official downplayed numerous reports that the team has offered two first-round picks and Steve Nash’s $9.8 million contract to the Boston Celtics for point guard Rajon Rondo. The Lakers owe one of their first round picks to Phoenix if it lands outside of the top five. The Lakers may also just wait for when Rondo becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

“Most of the times the ones that you hear about are the ones that never happen,” Bryant said. “The ones that you don’t hear about are the ones that happen.”

So for now, Bryant will just happily share feedback with Durant.

“”He’s a constant learner like myself,” Bryant said of Durant. “He’s not afraid or embarrassed to ask questions about certain things just like Michael [Jordan] has done for me and other great players have done for me growing up. I’m more than happy to share what I know.”

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com