The smile widened on Kobe Bryant’s face. He just processed a question that leaves both his supporters and critics expressing uncertainty.

What does the Lakers’ star believe he can accomplish in his 20th and perhaps final NBA season after experiencing three season-ending injuries in consecutive seasons?

“Be average,” Bryant said, sarcastically.

After his interview ended, a reporter asked Bryant to clarify, prompting him to reference ESPN’s preseason player rankings that were not even released yet.

“I’ll try to be the 93rd-best player in the league,” Bryant said. “I’ll be average.”

Bryant obviously expects more after winning five NBA championships and climbing to third place on the league’s all-time scoring list. The Lakers would want more too from Bryant, who will make $25 million during the 2015-16 season. But an informal sample from those around the league, including Bryant’s coach at Lower Merion High School, provide a more nuanced picture.

What are your expectations of Kobe Bryant during the 2015-16 season?

Gregg Downer, Bryant’s head coach at Lower Merion High School: “He’s probably scoring in the low 20s. But for a team projected to win 30 games, it’s going to be a tough grind for everybody.”

NBA executive: “He’ll be a high-volume, low-efficiency scorer. The biggest deficiency will be on the defensive end. He can’t defend quick guards anymore. But he’s still going to get buckets. He’s still smart. He’s going to draw fouls. He’ll average a very inefficient 22 or 23 points a game.

Rick Fox, former Lakers forward and NBA TV analyst: “He has a lot of miles on his body. But he’s smarter as a basketball player this year than he was last year and the year before. So above the shoulders, he will continue to progress.”

Jeremy Treatman, Bryant’s assistant coach at Lower Merion High School: “He can be pretty effective this year barring another setback. He’ll average 20 points, four assists and three steals in 32 minutes a game. I don’t think he’ll be at a super-star level. But I think he’ll play at a borderline All-Star level.”

Anonymous NBA assistant coach: “I could see him consistently post 18 to 24 points a game, five rebounds, five assists and a couple of steals. He will shoot well from the free-throw line. He will be more in a catch-and-shoot situation at small forward so his 3-point percentage should go up. He just can’t be in a situation where they throw it to him with six seconds left on the shot clock. He’s not as athletic anymore and can’t beat so many defenders.”

How much will Bryant defer to his younger teammates?

Downer: “If he thinks it could help him win, yes. But if he thinks the high-volume shooting is the way to go, then no. It is a 360-degree DNA switch for him to spend his whole career as a high-volume shooter to morph himself into a Jason Kidd-type player. I don’t know if he’s willing to do that.”

Treatman: “I don’t think his role will ever change as long as he’s playing for the Lakers. He’ll be the unquestionable leader mentoring those guys in his Kobe way, whether they want it or not. If there are winnable games, he’ll try to take the big shots and be the guy in the fourth quarter. But he’ll try to get everyone involved in the first three quarters.”

Fox: “At some point, he can get extremely frustrated or relegate himself to a comfort zone of patience because his teammates are lifting the required load to be great. He’s always consistently pushed himself and his teammates. I don’t see any of that shifting. He’s going to push teammates based on how much he feels they need to be driven and on how much more pressure he feels they can handle.”

Anonymous NBA executive: “The same things that made Kobe great is what will make him not be open to change. That’s what made Kobe one of the top 15 players of all time and one of the best scorers to come into the league. He’s not going to suddenly morph into a guy who will defer to teammates that still have college eligibility.”

Anonymous NBA assistant coach: “It’ll be a feeling out process for the first third of the season. The rookies will have their hiccups.”

Is this Bryant’s final season?

Downer: “My gut says, ‘This is it.’ I think he’s very proud to play his whole career with just one team. If there was some scenario where he felt like the team could win a championship quickly enough, he could hang on for another year or two. That would be a huge factor in changing his mind. But I don’t think the Lakers can get there in time.”

Treatman: “I’m not necessarily convinced this is his last year. I won’t be surprised. This has been his life for 20 years. There’s speculation he’d spend his last year going somewhere else, but I don’t see that happening.”

Fox: “I don’t think this is his last year. It might be his last year in L.A. But it won’t be his last year in the game. I think he’ll play overseas in China. Or maybe go to New York and be with Derek (Fisher) and Phil (Jackson) and mentor the other players with the triangle offense.”

Anonymous NBA executive: “If the Lakers can get a couple of guys, he’s going to want to be a part of it. But if they strike out, he could get another monster paycheck because they think he’s worth the price of admission.”

Anonymous NBA assistant coach: “If he gets through the season healthy, it’s not his last year. Kobe will play for one more year. He won’t leave a team just to chase a ring. But I could see him going to New York because of his connections with Carmelo (Anthony), (Derek) Fisher and Phil (Jackson). That would be a fun experience for him and, obviously, New York and Madison Square Garden would go crazy over Kobe being there.”

If Bryant decides to play another year, what is his market value?

Anonymous NBA executive: “You’d have to find a unique situation where he would be willing to do a David West deal. I don’t mean money wise. He would have to be so willing to sublimate his game. He could only go someplace where he’s not the guy. But would the team have veterans he respects? Do they have a coach who can control him to a certain degree? Would he buy into his role? Otherwise, he’s just a guy who can help a team sell tickets. Kobe can still play, but what he can’t be is the guy that dominates every possession. I don’t know if he can do it. If he does, he has to be around people he respects.”

Anonymous NBA agent: “Mid-level exception. Look at what’s happening to Paul Pierce. I don’t see a situation where a team would give Kobe $20 million for a one-year deal. A team on the cusp of winning a title won’t give him $20 million. They won’t have the cap room for it. A team with cap room could, but I doubt Kobe alone could put them over the top”

Anonymous NBA executive: “Teams can say all they want that they won’t pay Kobe because of his injuries. But if they have a chance to get Kobe and have enough talent to entice him, teams will give him $10 million easily.”

Anonymous NBA agent: “The most he could get is a mid-level exception or a one-year deal for $10 million. But it obviously depends on if he stays healthy.”