Oct 30, 2007 2:29 pm US/Central
What Will It Take To Make Kobe Bryant A Bull?
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Andris Biedrins #15 of the Golden State Warriors on March 25, 2007 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif.
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
Kobe Bryant remains a Laker -- for now, but don't be surprised if he becomes a Chicago Bull in the near future.
Bryant hasn't made it a secret that he wants out of L.A., going as far as calling out the team's ownership this summer and asking to be traded. Lakers owner Jerry Buss recently said he would listen to offers for the superstar, and Lakers coach Phil Jackson confirmed this week there have been talks between the Bulls and L.A.
Why the Bulls? Well, Kobe has a no trade clause, and the Bulls are one of a few teams he would agree to be traded to. Right now, the other two teams on Kobe's list reportedly include the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks.
Both of them play in the Western Conference, and it's hard to imagine Lakers management making a trade to another team in their own conference. That would allow Kobe to haunt them over and over, so it would make sense to trade him to the East. Plus, the Bulls have enough young talent that would interest the Lakers.
The stumbling block remains the number of quality players the Bulls would have to give up. The Lakers obviously want to raid the best of the Bulls talent. The names most prominently thrown out in the trade rumors include Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon, among others.
It's hard to imagine Bulls General Manager John Paxson parting with Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich. They are the cornerstones of this team and are deeply respected for their work ethic and skills. In fact, Deng is expected to sign a contract extension tomorrow.
However, talented Ben Gordon could be shipped, along with rookie Joakim Noah, forward Tyrus Thomas (who the Bulls are not happy with anyway, but has loads of talent), and a few others.
The Bulls can't dismantle this team because it would defeat the purpose of bringing Kobe in in the first place – to win a championship.
Not to mention, Kobe would veto a trade if he believed the Bulls were getting rid of too much of their talent. And, if this isn't complicated enough, money/current contracts is huge factor. The Bulls and Lakers will have salary caps issues to deal with to make any trade work.
Right now, the ball is in the Bulls court. The Kobe mess is a distraction for all involved in L.A. and the NBA. It appears they're better off moving him out of town rather than dealing with the rumors and a disgruntled superstar all season long.
If he has to leave Los Angeles, you have got to believe the NBA would be thrilled for him to end up in Chicago. It's not like the MJ comparisons haven't already followed Kobe his entire career. John Paxson would love to have Kobe – what NBA general manager wouldn't? Bryant has plenty of good years left in him and thrives in the NBA Championship spotlight.
However, Paxson won't be forced into making a deal that he's not comfortable with, so stay tuned as this story continues to play out ... it should be interesting!
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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