Bryant has been sidelined since Dec. 17 with a fracture of the lateral tibial plateau in his left knee. He also missed the Lakers' first 19 games while recovering from a torn Achilles in his left leg suffered last season.
"Obviously this has been a frustrating and disappointing season, but I appreciate all the support I've received from the Lakers and the fans and look forward to being back and ready for the start of training camp," Bryant said in a statement released by the team.
Bryant was examined Wednesday by team physician Steve Lombardo.
"With Kobe's injury still not healed, the amount of time he'd need to rehab and be ready to play, and the amount of time remaining in the season, we've simply run out of time for him to return," Lakers trainer Gary Vitti said in a statement. "However, Kobe will have the entire offseason to heal, rehab and prepare, and we look forward to him being 100 percent for the start of next season."
In all, Bryant played six games this season, averaging 13.8 points, 6.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 42.5 percent shooting from the field. The Lakers are 22-42, tied for the worst record in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles signed Bryant to a two-year, $48.5 million contract extension in November. The five-time NBA champion called his recovery "a slow process" during a news conference in New Orleans at All-Star Weekend last month.
Lombardo examined Bryant on Feb. 21, and it was determined the 18-year veteran would be sidelined another three weeks before being re-evaluated because of continued pain, swelling and soreness in the knee.
At the time, coach Mike D'Antoni said he was unsure whether the team would see Bryant on the court again this season.
General manager Mitch Kupchak had said he didn't want Bryant back until he was "100 percent."
"We're not going to push him to get back," Kupchak said. "I don't see why you would. We've made a commitment to him for two more years, and I just don't know why we'd do that [push him to come back]. But if he feels he's ready and he's in shape and he gets the doctor's approval, then there's no reason why he couldn't do that."
The Lakers still must pay Bryant his entire $30.453 million salary for the 2013-14 season, and an insurance policy will cover only 15.6 percent of it ($4.75 million).
After a player misses 41 consecutive games because of an injury, the league's insurance policy kicks in. Starting with the 42nd game, the insurance pays for 80 percent of the player's salary for games missed.
Because Bryant returned in the 20th game of the season, the insurance clock stopped and then started again after he was hurt. Bryant had to be out for another 41 games, meaning the Lakers will recoup only 80 percent of Bryant's salary for the final 16 games.
The insurance policy will start to kick in next Wednesday, when the Lakers play the San Antonio Spurs.
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