Kobes' Brain is exploding

[timmgirvan]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Here's the deal. I have NO IDEA what Kobe is doing. I don't think he does either. He's demanding to be traded. Well, does he think that HELPS his trade value? Look at how that went when Shaq demanded to be traded. Look at the Iverson deal. Get the picture? When these players come out and demand to be traded, the teams around the league know they have the upper hand. They know that the Lakers are over a barrel and there is no way that the Lakers can now get actual market value for Kobe. No way. Add to this the fact that Kobe has a no-trade clause in his contract. He's mentioned NY, Chicago, and Phoenix as places he'd like to get traded to. What if the Lakers work out a deal with Milwaukee or Utah? U think Kobe would waive his clause then? How about Sacramento or Memphis? I don't see him agreeing to any of those places. Does he even realize what a team would have to give up in order to get him? First of all, Chicago, in my opinion, would have to be idiots to give up Wallace, Deng and Gordon or Hinrich for Kobe. Do people realize that Kobe has played 11 years in the league, has played another 120+ playoff games, and had his knee operated on last year? He's on the downside of his career. Sure, he's going to be very good till he's done but I think he's done in another three or four years max. The Chicago guys are all young and have plenty of years left and as Cannon just said, they are right on the cusp of being a contender to make the finals every year being in the Eastern Conference. There is no reason for them to make that deal. Even if they were idiots and did it, what would Kobe be coming to in Chicago? The guys that would be left would be no better than the team he has here in LA. I think they'd be worse. And now I hear people talking about Phoenix? Give me a break. The talk I've been hearing is maybe Shawn Marion, Barbosa, and the pick that the Suns get next year from Atlanta (likely a lottery pick). For the Lakers, that would be a great deal. But would they believe that they are then better than a Suns team of Kobe, Nash, and Stoudamire? Wouldn't they virtually be handing the title to Phoenix? How well would that go over in Lakerland when the Suns w/Kobe come into Staples and knock the Lakers out of the first round again with Kobe going for 35 a night?

The deal is that Kobe is already hated by his teammates and the things he's said about them lately aren't helping matters. He's almost forcing the team's hand. And he doesn't have many aces in my opinion. If he wanted to be traded, there were other ways to go about this. Now, the other option is to not trade him at all. The problem is that in order to get the kind of players that Kobe wants, the Lakers almost HAVE to include Odom and/or Bynum. They are very reluctant to trade Bynum. They could have had Jermaine O'Neal for Odom and Bynum but said no. I actually think that deal would hurt far more than help though. I wouldn't look to trade Odom at all. He's an underachiever but he still does so much for that team that isn't recognized by most because they want more.

If they indeed do intend to trade Kobe, I'm thinking that there are a few teams that might make sense. I'm thinking that it has to be a team with some young talent that the Lakers could use but that would still be left with a few pieces once they made the deal. I'm thinking that Kobe is interested in playing in a large metropolitan area. I'm thinking that he'd prefer to be in the East because the path to the Finals is easier over there. With this in mind, I'm coming up with........Atlanta, Boston, NJ, Charlotte and one Western team, Golden State.

Good job,King! you spell it out pretty good. He's in his own world,for sure. I don't think he'll be going anywhere in the West though....and the more he keeps talking the less teams will be willing to gamble on him. It's really a mess for the Lakers.

[King Glorious]

There is one other thing I forgot to mention. Kobe has an opt out of his contract in two years. Any team that would trade for him would have to have an assurance that he'd resign. How would it feel to trade for him and he opts out in two years? And then is Kobe Bryant the kind of person that u would take his word that he'd re-sign?

[timmgirvan]

Like I said...His brain is exploding.....and his endorsements shortly!

[King Glorious]

If the Lakers are to trade Kobe, here are some options. Keep in mind I don't know all contract situations and if there would need to be any sign and trades done or other minor players added to make the deals work. In no order:

Boston would send the Paul Pierce, Gerald Green and the #5 pick in the draft in exchange for Kobe and the Lakers' #19.

NJ would send Vince Carter, Nenad Krstic and the #17 pick for Kobe.

Atlanta would send Joe Johnson, Tyronne Lue and the #3 pick for Kobe.

A little less metropolitan but Charlotte would send Gerald Wallace, Emeka Okafur, and two picks (#8 and 22) for Kobe and Kwame Brown.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

If the Lakers are to trade Kobe, here are some options. Keep in mind I don't know all contract situations and if there would need to be any sign and trades done or other minor players added to make the deals work. In no order:

Boston would send the Paul Pierce, Gerald Green and the #5 pick in the draft in exchange for Kobe and the Lakers' #19.

NJ would send Vince Carter, Nenad Krstic and the #17 pick for Kobe.

Atlanta would send Joe Johnson, Tyronne Lue and the #3 pick for Kobe.

A little less metropolitan but Charlotte would send Gerald Wallace, Emeka Okafur, and two picks (#8 and 22) for Kobe and Kwame Brown.

There is no way that the Lakers take that deal from the Celtics
Carter is a unrestricted free agent and would have to agree with a sign and trade which is unlikely considering he is going to want max money and Kristic is coming off an injury
There is zero chance that Kobe will accept a trade to Atlanta
But I like the fact that you are trying...

[King Glorious]

I thought the Celtic one might be the best of the bunch. The Lakers would get back Paul Pierce who is not only a consistent all-star player but is a guy that can be a 26-30 point a night scorer. In addition to that, he's a local guy so he'd already have a fan base here. He's also got a few more years left on him than Kobe does. In Gerald Green, u have instant excitement. He's not too much unlike a young Kobe. He's only 21 and last year, he averaged 10 points a game in only 22 minutes a night. In the second half of the season, he showed quite a lot of potential, even averaging 16 a game in the last month of the season in 33 minutes a night. Also, like Kobe, he's a guy that won the slam dunk contest. These two guys would fit in great with LA and the whole "Showtime" atmosphere that Buss wants back. With that #5 draft selection, they could pick up a big guy that can play some defense. A guy like Joakim Noah or Al Horford might be available or maybe they go in a different direction and select a guy like Brandan Wright or Corey Brewer. Maybe even a point guard like Mike Conley could be available. I don't think this lineup is too bad:

Kwame Brown
Lamar Odom
Paul Pierce
Jordan Farmar
Gerald Green

Coming off the bench they could have Maurice Evans, Luke Walton, Joakim Noah, Rony Turiaf and they would have to bring in a veteran with the mid-level exception, most likely a guy that can play the point. They wouldn't need anyone flashy, just steady and that can play some defense. I think this would be an exciting team again. Or how bout offer up Odom and #5 for Kevin Garnett and have a lineup of Brown, Garnett, Pierce, Farmar and Green? That works for me.

The Carter deal might not be bad either. Again, we are talking about a proven all-star capable of getting u 25-30 a night. His style of play would be great here too. The Lakers are already paying Kobe max money so I don't know that they would be against giving Carter that amount. They need a superstar player in return in any trade and any superstar is going to get max money. I know about Kristic's injury but I haven't heard that he's not going to return. When he does, he's a much better player than Kwame Brown, even at 60% or so. Plus, Kwame is also coming off of a series of injuries himself. Neither one of them alone makes a great player but the two of them combined could give u a decent center combo. Add in Andrew Bynum and u have a 3-headed monster.

The Atlanta deal, I could see that happening too. Joe Johnson is an emerging star player in this league. Before his calf injury last year, he was scoring 25 a night. He plays pretty decent defense too and can rebound and score a little as well. Tyronne Lue could be the point guard, either as the starter if u feel Farmar is still not ready or as his backup. He fills a need the Lakers are weak at which is a defensive point guard. With that #3 pick, the options are wide open. Maybe a Corey Brewer or one of the Florida big men? Or how bout trade Odom and the #3 for Pierce and the #5. They could still grab one of the Florida big men and would be able to field of lineup of Brown, Noah/Horford, Pierce, Farmar/Lue, Johnson. They'd have size, quickness and great scoring. Or offer Odom and the #3 for Kevin Garnett. In either trade scenario involving Odom, they would still have their mid-level exception to use on a veteran player. And in all of this, they keep their prized young big man Andrew Bynum.

The thing is this. If they have to get rid of Kobe, they need a superstar in return. There just aren't that many guys in the league that can get u 25-30 a night. I've given u scenarios where u can get either Pierce, Carter, or Johnson, three of the ones that can. If they deal with Atlanta or Boston, they would also get a #3 or #5 that they can offer up with Odom for a guy like Kevin Garnett. I don't see how they beat this stuff. They don't need Jerry West. They need me.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I thought the Celtic one might be the best of the bunch. The Lakers would get back Paul Pierce who is not only a consistent all-star player but is a guy that can be a 26-30 point a night scorer. In addition to that, he's a local guy so he'd already have a fan base here. He's also got a few more years left on him than Kobe does. In Gerald Green, u have instant excitement. He's not too much unlike a young Kobe. He's only 21 and last year, he averaged 10 points a game in only 22 minutes a night. In the second half of the season, he showed quite a lot of potential, even averaging 16 a game in the last month of the season in 33 minutes a night. Also, like Kobe, he's a guy that won the slam dunk contest. These two guys would fit in great with LA and the whole "Showtime" atmosphere that Buss wants back. With that #5 draft selection, they could pick up a big guy that can play some defense. A guy like Joakim Noah or Al Horford might be available or maybe they go in a different direction and select a guy like Brandan Wright or Corey Brewer. Maybe even a point guard like Mike Conley could be available. I don't think this lineup is too bad:

Kwame Brown
Lamar Odom
Paul Pierce
Jordan Farmar
Gerald Green

King not to burst your bubble but you seem to have hit your head if you think that that lineup is solid.
Kwame is a backup at best, and not a very good one. His biggest asset is that he gets 6 fouls a night.
Lamar Odom is a good role player but he is a on the ball type who would not mesh well with Pierce.
Pierce is a nice scorer who can play both the transition and half court game but needs a tough inside prescence to make up for his lack of rebounding.
Jordan Farmer is a backup point guard that may develop. He turns the ball over far too often and with that line up would be good for about 8 a night
Green is not going to be a good NBA player. Who rebounds in that lineup? Who plays the tough post guy? Who guards the shooting 2 guard or active 3?
That lineup may work for you a NBA live 07 but in the real NBA it is a lottery lineup in the West,

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

The Carter deal might not be bad either. Again, we are talking about a proven all-star capable of getting u 25-30 a night. His style of play would be great here too. The Lakers are already paying Kobe max money so I don't know that they would be against giving Carter that amount. They need a superstar player in return in any trade and any superstar is going to get max money. I know about Kristic's injury but I haven't heard that he's not going to return. When he does, he's a much better player than Kwame Brown, even at 60% or so. Plus, Kwame is also coming off of a series of injuries himself. Neither one of them alone makes a great player but the two of them combined could give u a decent center combo. Add in Andrew Bynum and u have a 3-headed monster.

You like Carters style of play? The hoist it up, no D, no rebounding, sulking, type? Nobody wants to give Carter max money. He is just not the kind of guy you build a team around. Toronto practically gave him away. He may be a superstar player in the fans eyes but the reality is that he is not a highly coveted player.
Kristic is a better player than Brown, no doubt. But he would make Brown expendable and he is too expensive to play 10 minutes a game.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

The Atlanta deal, I could see that happening too. Joe Johnson is an emerging star player in this league. Before his calf injury last year, he was scoring 25 a night. He plays pretty decent defense too and can rebound and score a little as well. Tyronne Lue could be the point guard, either as the starter if u feel Farmar is still not ready or as his backup. He fills a need the Lakers are weak at which is a defensive point guard. With that #3 pick, the options are wide open. Maybe a Corey Brewer or one of the Florida big men? Or how bout trade Odom and the #3 for Pierce and the #5. They could still grab one of the Florida big men and would be able to field of lineup of Brown, Noah/Horford, Pierce, Farmar/Lue, Johnson. They'd have size, quickness and great scoring. Or offer Odom and the #3 for Kevin Garnett. In either trade scenario involving Odom, they would still have their mid-level exception to use on a veteran player. And in all of this, they keep their prized young big man Andrew Bynum.

If they trade Kobe to Atlanta for Joe Johnson, Tyrone Lue and the #3, Jack will become a Clippers fan