I couldn't help but laugh at this, in spite of myself.
Apparently it is in fact health reasons that is causing him to leave. ESPN said he's going to remain with the as a scout.
EDIT: One more thing, as much as I dislike Kobe and the Lakers, the rapist jokes aren't fuckin' funny anymore and haven't been for a long time. This isn't directed at any one person, just saying, I don't really care to hear about it any more.