Kobe Bryant -- Lakers Mulling Jersey Issue ... Which Number to Retire?

The Kobe Bryant jersey debate has now reached the Lakers front office -- with a team rep telling us they plan on having official meetings to decide which number to retire ... #8 or #24???

A spokesperson for the team tells TMZ Sports, "We have had a couple very casual and preliminary conversations internally about this over the past few years."

"But now that Kobe has officially announced a retirement date, I anticipate we will discuss this more formally in the coming weeks and months."

Of course, the issue is that Bryant dominated in both numbers ... winning 3 NBA championships in #8 (2000, 2001, 2002) and 2 in #24 (2009, 2010).

One former Lakers star is already weighing in -- with Rick Fox saying the team should just retire 'em BOTH!!