So Kobe Bryant wants out from the Lakers. That won't be an easy task for someone who's due to make more than $87 million over the next four years. Undaunted, SI.com takes a crack at the five most logical trading partners.
Chicago Bulls: What better way to take control of a weak East than dealing for the game's best clutch scorer? With an abundance of young talent, the Bulls could offer a package of Luol Deng or Ben Gordon, this year's No. 9 draft pick and Ben Wallace (his bloated contract would have to be included in almost any deal to match Bryant's significant bounty. The deal would offer the Lakers a big step up in rebuilding quickly and offer the Bulls the superstar they might need to separate themselves from the rest of the conference.
Atlanta Hawks: Don't laugh. If the Lakers are forced to part with Kobe, they surely would prefer to ship him East, and the Hawks need something to bring fans to Philips Arena. A Joe Johnson, a Josh Smith and this year's No. 11 pick would help the Lakers turn the page into a new era quickly and allow Atlanta to keep this year's No. 3 and get a gate-attracting star.
Philadelphia 76ers: Yes, he was booed when he played in the All-Star Game in Philly a few years back, but Kobe, you have to imagine, would welcome a chance to play hometown boy makes good. With three first-round draft picks, a veteran in Andre Miller who doesn't really fit on a rebuilding club, an Aaron McKie -- whose expiring $7 million contract will offer significant cap space in the summer of 2008 -- and a rapidly improving Andre Iguodala, the Sixers have plenty of assets to help the Lakers rebuild and provide Kobe a chance to win over the fans he once angered.
Phoenix Suns: Think Kobe would have run out of gas in Game 5 against the Spurs? While owner Robert Sarver is no fan of the luxury tax, the opportunity to grab one of the game's biggest stars and capitalize on Steve Nash's final few years might be too much to deny. And with Shawn Marion's bloated contract -- and sensitive feelings -- never a big hit in the Suns' front office, Phoenix has the makings of a deal (which would likely have to include next year's first-round draft pick they have from Atlanta). Who knows, it might just get the Suns past the Spurs and Mavs and into the Finals it so desires.
New York Knicks: East Coast media bias? A little. Logical? A little. Obviously, Kobe would salivate at the chance to bring his act to the NBA's biggest stage. Would a Lakers team desperate to keep him out of the West and not finding any suitable deals elsewhere accept a collection of promising prospects such as Channing Frye, David Lee, Renaldo Balkman, the No. 21 pick in this year's draft and two years of Steve Francis to get Kobe out of their sight? Would the Knicks include Eddy Curry if Andrew Bynum accompanied Kobe?
Minnesota Timberwolves: At one level, trading Kobe to the Wolves for Kevin Garnett makes sense salary-wise and in giving both superstars a welcome change of scenery. At another, though, a Bryant for Garnett deal doesn't get either player or either team any closer to where they want to go. But with Kevin McHale and Mitch Kupchak involved, you never know.
New Jersey Nets: The Nets aren't enamored of paying Vince Carter $60 million for the next three years; might they warm to the idea if they were paying Kobe Bryant? Of course, it takes two to tango, and while a signed-and-traded Carter might provide L.A. a lite version of Kobe, the Nets would have to include any remaining youth they have at their disposal -- Marcus Williams, Antoine Wright or Josh Boone -- for this deal to make sense for the Lakers.
Any of the above deals make sense to you? Or do you have a better one to offer.
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i would like to see Kobe with the Rockets possibly. Although i really dont see how that would work unless they gave up Tracy McGrady which will never happen. Do you think they could give up Alston, Head and maybe Battier for Kobe, cuz i think the trio of Tmac Kobe and Yao would be great.
boots
Palatine , IL
Total Comments (1)
I am big Bulls fan and would welcome Kobe here but not at the expense of trading away all of our talent. Hinrich, Gordon, and Deng are what I believe is our core and any deal involving two of the 3 would be dumb. Personally I can do without Gordon cause he is a defensive liability and although I like his killer instinct no one can argue that there is another player in the NBA with more killer instinct than Kobe. This can prove to be an interesting summer for my beloved Bulls. While we are at it does Kobe have a nice slider or changeup so he can come help the Cubs horrid bullpen.
morgwon
Chicago , IL
Total Comments (2)
With the NBA alowing thug basketball to dominate the playoffs, I think the Suns need someone like Kobe to get it into the mean and nasty column
Jcalvinreform
Chandler , AZ
Total Comments (12)
Stevie and Kobe on the same team. Yikes! I don't care who you are that's scary.
I like this one.
Houston: McGrady + Battie for Kobe + Walton (Sign and trade)
LA keep Jack Nickolsen and the rest of the crowd happy and Houston can take a crack at it next year with a player who actually can shoot in the clutch.
Icy
Rexburg , ID
Total Comments (1)
kobe to chicago for ben gordon, hinrich, pj brown, and future 1st round pick. Lakers get a deadly SG, a proven PG, and an expiring contract in brown to free up cap space. Chicago can resign Chris Duhon to start at PG, with kobe and Luol Deng on the wing. Kobe = Jordan; Deng = Pippen; Tyrus Thomas = Horace Grant; Ben Wallace = Bill Cartwright; Chris Duhon = Paxson/BJ Armstrong.
yokenji
Honolulu, HI
Total Comments (1)
Chicago won't do it. Paxson likes his mix of youth and inexpensive vets (besides Big Ben) and the owner is too cheap and (smartly) afraid to risk too much money on one player.
Philly makes the most sense if they throw in a big like Samuel D. Andre is exciting enough for Laker fans to accept losing the big Ego (KB). Rolling up three draft picks should yield LA at least one legit starter.
~Mikey Mack in Austin, Texas
Mikey Mack
Austin , TX
Total Comments (1)
I think only Bulls and Atlanta and to some extent Portland or Seattle makes sense.
Bulls.
Kobe and Kwame
For
Deng, Gordan , Tyrus Thomas and Number 9 pick and maye be someone else to match salaries.
Good for both teams Chicago will get a Super star and Lakers will get couple of good players.
Atlanta
Joe Johnson, Marwin Williams, Number 3 and Number 11.
Kobe and Luke ( Sign and Trade) and Lakers First round pick (19).
And some more peaces to match salaries.
Good for both teams.
Kobe with Smith and Luke should make some noice in the east and bring fans to arena.
Lakers should trade Lamar also and get some young talent in return and do their rebuilding exercise for years with Mitch still GM screwing them to the core.
Portland.
Bradon Roy, Zach Randolph and Aldridge.
Kobe, Kwame and Luke(sign and trade).
This should be good for both.
Since they get kobe they don't need Roy who please same position.
Randolph will be salary cap space and lakers can trade him to some other team if they find any takers for some young talent.
Then rebuild with Roy, Aldridge, Farmar and Bynum.
Should be good when Jim Buss takes over.
Seattle
Ray allen and Number 2 pick.
Kobe.
This is ideal deal.
Seattle will get a superstar who can get a arena built by fans. Seattle can resign Lewis. Kobe and lewis will be one two punch for years.
Lakers will get a leader and also Kevin Durant for their future.
Allen,Farmar, Durant, Odom , Bynum.
Loooks good.
NOMORELAKESHOW
Sunnyvale , CA
Total Comments (51)
Personally I think Kobe has a soft spot for the Bulls. Gordan + #9 pick + Nocioni (sign and trade) for Kobe would be a sound deal. This gives the Bulls the edge in the East and the Lakers would free up some salary cap to become contenders for free agents like of Mo williams or Maybe Billups.
GG23
Total Comments (2)
jrich/harrington for kobe.
slimbphat
San Jose , CA
Total Comments (1)
I'd love to see kobe join the kings, traded for artest and miller. Artest's arrival hasn't changed much of kings' defense. Kings still allowed 100+ points average this season. Miller is too slow and not strong enough to be a center or power forward, which makes him unable to score from the paint. Moreover, he could never be able to stop duncan or yao, or at least, forcing them to take tough shots. Anyway, Kings could have a nice big man with its 10th pick. Kobe and martin reminds me of jordan and pippen. Aaaaah,, nice dream!!! ;-)
dudydude
Total Comments (1)
Any chance my Raptors get him and keep Bosh-il Mago, uh? I'm so kidding myself...
I'd like him with the Suns, traded for Amar??-Bell-Banks and 2008 draft pick from Atlanta (this would be a deal for the ages)! Or Boston (Celtics fan deserves good things, after what happened with the draft order...)!
MatCauthon82
Total Comments (219)
Arenas + Haywood for Kobe. Then the Wiz trade Jamison for Zach Randolph. Kobe's proven you don't need a true PG to win, you'd have Daniels at the point, Kobe at the 2, Caron at 3, Zach (the Wiz's first real rebounder in a loooong time) at the 4, and some scrubs sharing time at the 5 (no offense, Mr. Sensitive Poet-man).
I love Gil, but it'd be fun to have Kobe in DC for a few years beating the hell out of the East.
JP18
Brooklyn , NY
Total Comments (1)
Forrester, are you seriously a sport writer? i hope to god you're not. How do you not know that the phoenix sun don't even possess the Atlanta's pick anymore? i hope you're just some fan, because if you were a sport writer, i would stop going to SI.
k1ngkh2i
Tustin , CA
Total Comments (2)
why is no one talking about Kobe for in DC. I think gilbert and darius s make so much sense financially and value wise.
garnic
Bristow , VA
Total Comments (1)
The Boston Celtics. Set up a deal that includes Kobe and Luke Walton with the Celtics trading Kendrick Perkins, Tony Allen, and Gerald Green. With the Celtics selecting a strong forward with the number 5 pick, or possibly trading it for Jermaine O'Neal.
Redsox1788
Orange , MA
Total Comments (1)
i would love to see the Detroit pistons go for kobe. i think they could give up hamilton sinces hes inconsistent our 2 first round picks this year our 1st round next year and another player like carlos delfino. Pistons would be fine as long as they got billups wallace prince and mcdyess
Irishmartin1287
Madison Heights , MI
Total Comments (2)
As a life-long Bulls fan, I don't think we can pass on an oppurtunity like this. As much as I love the core nucleus of Gordon, Deng, and Hinrich, Kobe is a premier player. Giving up Gordon, Wallace, and the #9 pick works for me. The Bulls have no room on the roster for another lottery pick and Wallace is no longer the force he once was. Imagine a line-up of Kobe and Hinrich in the backcourt with Deng, Andrew Bynum, and Tyus Thomas up front. And they would still have Nocioni and Duhon off the bench.
HartleyKnowsBest
Cassville , MO
Total Comments (2)
I would love to see Kobe in Charlotte with the Bobcats. With Wallace Felton and May what a team that could be. New coach and fresh start for everyone involved. Jordan said he would pay to bring talent in....
Tarheelfan
Chapel Hill , NC
Total Comments (2)
GOOOOOOOOOO raps
garbo truck
Toronto, ON
Total Comments (15)
GOOOOOOOOOO raps
garbo truck
Toronto, ON
Total Comments (15)
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