The final text messages between Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan were exchanged on Dec. 8, 2019, seven weeks before Bryant’s tragic death in a helicopter crash that killed his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others.

That last text remains on Jordan’s phone. It might always be there.

“I don’t know why,” Jordan told ESPN, “but I just can’t delete it.”

Jordan will have it with him on Saturday when he inducts Bryant into the Basketball Hall of Fame. It could be as emotional as Jordan’s speech at Bryant’s memorial at Staples Center in February 2020, when he cried as he eulogized his “little brother.”

Jordan shared the text exchange with ESPN, beginning with Bryant praising Jordan’s tequila brand, Cincoro.

“This tequila is awesome,” Bryant told Jordan.

“Thank you, my brother,” Jordan replied.

“Yes, sir. Family good?” Bryant said.

“All good. Yours?” Jordan asked.

“All good,” Bryant answered.

Michael Jordan (r.) says he “can’t delete” the final text he got from Kobe Bryant (l.)AFP/Getty Images

Jordan then made reference to Bryant being Gianna’s basketball coach.

“Happy holidays, and hope to catch up soon. Coach Kobe??!” Jordan wrote.

“Ah, back at you, man. Hey, coach, I’m sitting on the bench right now, and we’re blowing this team out. 45-8,” Bryant responded.

“I just love that text,” Jordan told ESPN, “because it shows Kobe’s competitive nature.”

Jordan said he texted Bryant’s widow Vanessa roughly six months ago to see how she was doing and to say he was there if he needed her. Vanessa asked Jordan to induct Kobe into the Hall of Fame.

“It’s going to be a great honor, to be honest,” Jordan told ESPN. “It’s like standing up for a family member. He paid me the highest respect by trying to emulate certain things I did. And I can only repay that by showing my support and admiration for a guy who I felt was one of the greatest to ever play the game.”