Kobe Rumors
Marty Burns, in an article on sportsillustrated.com, ponders whether the fact that Kobe Bryant’s absence from the preseason with tendinitis in his knee, is more due to Dr. Jerry Buss’ recent statement that Kobe could be dealt if the right deal presented itself. A rumor was spread around (and then apparently shot down) that Kobe had already started cleaning out his locker. The Kobe-Lakers spat has been going on all summer with shots being fired directly–as when Kobe demanded a trade in the early summer–and, perhaps, indirectly, if Kobe is attempting to pressure a trade by skipping the preseason.
Burns goes on to speculate about a few possible scenarios, if Kobe was to be moved. Some of the longer shots would be within the conference to Dallas and Phoenix. Phoenix has plenty of trade bait available with a roster full of talent from top to bottom–Shawn Marion, Leandro Barbosa, Amare Stoudamire, Raja Bell, and interesting rooking Alando Tucker. LA would no doubt be looking for an All-Star and probably a solid draft pick in return. Phoenix could put together an interesting package, and Bryant would certainly fit into their uptempo style, but it’s doubtful that the Lakers would trade Kobe to such a close rival. Dallas is another team with loads of talent, but Dirk Nowitzki would be the prize for LA, and Dallas owner, Mark Cuban, has said that the big German is off-limits.
One of the more interesting musings that Burns had was regarding the Celtics: Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo, plus some bits and pieces. The Celtics have completely rebuilt themselves in just a few months, but financial concerns (Kevin Garnett) could be too much to handle.
Since it doesn’t cost anything to speculate, I’ll throw my $.02 in. Kobe would probably nix a trade to a mid-market, and it’s all but impossible to visualize Kobe in Milwaukee green, but Mo Williams is a potential All-Star, and recently signed Yi Jianlian doesn’t seem to be particularly fond of playing in the midwest (not that Kobe probably would either), but from a Lakers standpoint, could be a winner. Kobe would be playing with an above average, young center (Bogut, 12.3 ppg, 8.8 rpg, and 3 assists), another superstar guard/forward in Michael Redd (26.7 ppg), and a power forward in Charlie Villenueva (11.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg) who is solid, if unspectacular. Certainly, this trade would be a longer shot than most, simply because Milwaukee is Milwaukee, but the pieces for both teams could work nicely together.
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