Trouble in Laker Land

by KillaCrossOver on May 30, 2007 9:58 AM PDT Comment 42 comments

Things are getting very interesting this offseason. What do you all think about the posibilities now for the Lakers to sign a big name to play along side Kobe? If all he says is true, I believe they might look at trading him? Bad mouthing the GM does not create a pleasant atmosphere... Anything is possible. Of course trade would be the last straw but what free agent would want to come in hearing all these empty promises and lack of talent in LA. I guess the Clips would be a good destination for KG now. Imagine KG along side Brand. WOW, that would be scary. I think with the Lakers situation, this helps Free agents look at more viable situations, such as Warriors, Clips, Denver jus to mention a few.

Lets go Mully, start fast out of the gate so we are not left holding the bag again.

Here is the link to the article about Kobe and Jerry Buss.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2886927

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

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looks like Kobe wants out now....

Yesterday he said he wanted to stay and now he wants out.

by dallaswarrior on May 30, 2007 10:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

GET HIM NOW

18th pick, jrich, monta, POB. MAKE IT WORK!

by BDiddyDaGeneral on May 30, 2007 10:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Going East?

I hate to be a pessimist but do you really think that the Flakers and the T-wolves are going to trade their best players to another team in the West? My gut tells me that those two franchises will do their best to either keep these players or to make sure that KG and "Playa hater" aka Kobe aka "Mr. I love myself and no one else" end up in the East somewhere.

I'm putting my faith in Mully, his draft picks and his crazy trade skills.

I'll have to pour out an entire 40 in mourning if the Don doesn't come back. Without him we are in serious trouble no matter what goes down in the off season.

"Hold It Down For The Bay Reppin Oakland" --Keak Da Sneak

by Section 233 Row 1 on May 30, 2007 10:55 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

that would be fine too

i do not mind if both of those players go east. that is better for the warriors chances at the #8 seed.

i agree that mullin/nelson will make the right move and most likely not for kg or kobe since that would be a wrong move(similar to miami picking up shaq and having to pay him $60million over the next 3 seasons - ouch).

pouring out the 40 would be a funny youtube, but are you watching games at oracle or att park(section 233)? lol

by stedanko on May 30, 2007 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Section 233

Section 233 row 1 is the "really cheap section", It's in my garage. Free entrance, no parking fee and lots of 40's at an ultra affordable price.

I gotta say I'm impressed with the Oracle seating chart knowledge! Props!

"Hold It Down For The Bay Reppin Oakland" --Keak Da Sneak

by Section 233 Row 1 on May 30, 2007 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Lakers and T'Wolves are smart...

they will definitely trade their respective star players to the Leastern Conference. I see the best place for Kobe is either in Chicago or New Jersey. Both of these teams have a lot of players to offer to the Lakers: Chicago can part with Ben Gordon and/or Kirk Hinrich, while New Jersey can part with either Jason Kidd or Vince Carter to acquire Kobe Bryant. As for Kevin Garnett, I see him going to the Wizards for either Antawn Jamison or Gilbert Arenas. To compensate for losing Arenas, the T'Wolves will have to include their No. 7 draft pick.

by Phil T28 on May 30, 2007 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

stephen a smith broke the story

kobe was on stephen a smith nyc radio show for espn and said he absolutely wants to be traded - you can find the podcast link on the espn.com nba frontpage now

good interview where he said he was furious over the published "insider" accounts in yesterday's paper that said he wanted shaq out and that the current lakers mess is kobe's fault

he also said when he re-signed in 2004 he was told they would spend the money to win now, but when he called coach jackson yesterday, he learned that the lakers told phil jackson something else(long term plan to rebuild and get under cap)

by stedanko on May 30, 2007 10:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

kobe sounds resigned

listening to that interview, Kobe sounded almost depressed rather than angry

I don't buy his denial that he manuevered LAL to move Shaq or he would not re-sign with Lakers, do you guys?

by hardcore on May 30, 2007 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

thats why i dont want him on the warriors

every time he speaks it does not sound like a genuine man speaking

i am NOT saying that j-rich & foyle plus #18 for kobe should not be considered, but i dont think i would root for this move

by stedanko on May 30, 2007 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

poison pill contract?

Wow, just read that Kobe has a "trade clause" that would add $13m cost to any team that trades for him! Supposedly that would'nt count toward the new team's salary cap, but that's a big pill to swallow in addition to having to match contracts in a trade ...

by hardcore on May 30, 2007 11:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

$13M

Shouldn't be considered a lot of a money for an NBA team, especially if it's not counted against the cap. The Red Sox just dropped $51M this offseason for the right to talk with a pitcher who had never pitched a ML game. Different sport, I know, but if $13M were the sticking point in a deal to bring a Top 5 NBA player to GS, I'd be pissed.

by Sleepy Freud on May 30, 2007 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the league's best player

is a narcissistic punk and even with unbelievable skills will not make a Team better in spite of his individual success. He could be sitting on six rings now, more or less, and the comparasions to MJ would be much more legit.

by commish on May 30, 2007 11:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Warriors cant get him...

The lakers will not trade him within their own division. We would have to blow away any other offer and even then I doubt the Lakers would do it.

If they would I would trade for him.... please put him and BAron together in the playoffs this year and we are in the conference finals. BUT IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN

by dallaswarrior on May 30, 2007 11:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

x2

I agree. Kobe has even stated in the past that he wanted baron on the lakers. How about the next best thing...Kobe on the dubs? too bad about the myriad roadblocks on this one. kobe in a warrior uniform, maturing, passing to COMPETENT teammates...it'd be a beautiful thing to watch.

Too many gsomers here are wayyy trigger-happy in exclaiming "he's so selfish!!11!!"...if you look at his team, if you watched his progression, you'll see one of the most dominant players in the history of the nba surrounded w/the worst supporting cast in the history of organized sports. Smush parker? Bynum? KWAME effin Brown?

Lakers supporting cast = Philadelphia eagles receiving corps

It's amazing Kobe has been able to get into the playoffs at all, just as amazing as donovan mcnabb's passing numbers.

BRING KOBE TO OAKLAND and let the 'ship rings flow. If you feel differently, I respectfully call in to question your basketball iq.

by GameSix on May 30, 2007 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

thats pretty much true

however, if kobe has realized that he needs to play with a star player that he can depend on to handle and distribute the ball to him, he will veto any trade that does not put him in that position. lakers would then be forced to accept best offer from 1 of those teams and that was the risk they took when they sign him to his current deal; he has a no-trade clause since 2004. if he has anyone around him with half a brain, they should be telling kobe that he needs to be playing with 1 of the top 7 pg's in the league(wade, kidd, arenas, paul, nash, williams or davis) and any other move would be dumb for him.

by stedanko on May 30, 2007 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

what does the East have to offer?

it's makes real sense for the lakers and the wolves to not trade within the division, but what does the east have to offer?

by naboob on May 30, 2007 11:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

they dont have much..

bu tneither did the heat when they landed shaq!

by dallaswarrior on May 30, 2007 11:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

the bulls are loaded with young talent

just to mention one team. After that, well, I can't think of another team.

by commish on May 30, 2007 12:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

he will go east if he goes at all

by dallaswarrior on May 30, 2007 12:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm pretty conflicted

On the one hand, Kobe Bryant is a spoiled, self-centered, brat. That paper was absolutely right, he did cause his own misfortunes, refusing to play for any team but the Lakers as a draftee, then forcing Shaq out of town.

But then, I hate the Lakers. I hate all the Socal teams, hell, I hate all of Socal itself. This Kobe trade demand...well, it screws the Lakers! How can I not get behind something that screws the Lakers? Its even better than screwing the Kings! With Kobe out, Phil Jackson is gonna retire. Today, I was a pretty happy guy, it almost makes up for the Warriors playoff exit, it's THAT good to hear the Lakers are jacked.

From a basketball perspective, how can you not like Kobe? He's the 2 guard prototype: he has the smooth amphibious/ambidextrous handle, the pull-up jumper, the fadeaway, both shots extend out to the elbow range, he shoots the 3, he has great size, rebounds, can pass the rock (will he?), got the post moves, makes his FT's. Not much more you can ask for out of your shooting guard (except to check his ego at the door and stop being a bitch).

Now, as far as trades: You can't give up Baron. If you give up Baron, there's no point because we wouldn't be any better than the Lakers are now, which is mediocre. Also, this is not a salary dump, the Lakers are lookin for talent. That means Ellis has to go in any deal, period. And now, I do not trade Biedrins under any circumstances (not for Garnett, not for Kobe, not unless Tim Duncan were on the block and no one...i mean no one else).

Plausible deal according to RealGM trade checker:

Richardson
Ellis
POB
Harrington

for

Kobe
Maurice Evans

I'm taking Evans back because I don't want our roster totally bare, and he's a strong, athletic swing man, which will always have a place in Nelson's system. I also want to keep our pick(s) because we're giving up alot of depth (3/5ths or our starting lineup at one point).

You gotta love this starting lineup:
Baron
Kobe
S-Jax
Biedrins
Mcguire (yeah baby)

With Adonal Foyle, Powell, Azubiuke, Evans, and 2 second round draft picks off the bench. Wow, we're thin, but with Don Nelson, I have faith we can scrounge up talent. Bring in Renaldo Major!

The best part of that lineup that no one will talk about? Baron Davis and Kobe Bryant could be the most fearsome defensive backcourt in the league, if they put their hearts to it. Kobe's long, Baron's strong, they could dominate any other backccourt in the NBA physically, putting ball pressure like nobody's business. Then you got Stephan Jackson playing the role of Artest-lite on one wing and Biedrins in the middle cleaning up. Holy moly.

But alas...i doubt the Lakers deal him in the same division. Kobe will go to another big market (too bad Memphis, Toronto, or Milwaulkee). I don't know if he plays for Charlotte and Jordan.

Chicago and Boston (young roster + high pick) have the talent to make a deal anda reitching to trigger a blockbuster. Hell, even the Clippers could put together a package with Maggette and Livingston (broken though he is). New York would kill for him, but good luck getting LAL to take those contracts back.

Indiana can put together a nice package around Ike Diogu and Danny Granger, then the larger (but longer) contracts of Jeff Foster, Tinsley and Mike Dunleavy (the rich but stupid man's Luke Walton). That's not too bad a roster, but they'd be stuck with some bad contracts.

Orlando could sign and trade Darko and add Jameer Nelson and Hedo Tukuglu. That's actually not a bad deal, putting Darko and Bynum together.

One place where Kobe might WANT to go...Philadelphia, where he grew up IIRC. They don't really have the contracts to get it done, and Philly would want AI Part 2.

by OptionZero on May 30, 2007 12:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I doubt Boston is a destination

Remember, Kobe has a no trade clause. For a trade to go through he would have to waive it. Depending on who leaves, Boston would most likely have a worse supporting cast for kobe..

by ThermoElectro on May 30, 2007 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not necessarily

Boston has one of the few remaining large "expiring contracts" in Theo Ratliff. They also have Wally Szerbiak, who will be a massive expiring contract next year (plus he can still play...a little...very little).

Financially then, Boston is probably best equipped next to Charlotte (totally under the cap...hell, under the minimum salary threshold i think) to offer salary relief.

They could package Ratliff's expiring contract, Gerald Green, and the #5 pick, throw in Delonte West (highly underrated) and even Sebastian Telfair (ANOTHER expiring contract) for Kobe.

Then they'd have Kobe with Pierce and Al Jefferson, which is probably the most awesome trio in the league, and Rondo, Ryan Gomes, and Tony Allen (look him up, he's pretty freakin' productive!) off the bench.

That's a damn good team, and a big market as well. It fits perfectly because Kobe will still be on TV, the NBA sells tickets, the Lakers get both young talent, draft picks AND cap space, Boston finally cashes in their chips and it makes up for losing the lottery. If you can paint me a better picture, I'd love to see it.

The next best deal would be Chicago for Ben Gordon and #9 + sign and traded Nocioni and PJ Brown to make up the salary difference.

Another idea: Mcgrady for Kobe straight up. They're pretty similar except McGrady has massive injury history and he's a far less efficient scorer.

by OptionZero on May 30, 2007 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm buyin what yer sellin

I think the Celtics might need to throw in next year's first rounder as well, but otherwise, I'm on board. The Lakers get a potential future superstar in Green to team up with the potential of Bynum, a whole bunch of good draft picks, cap space next year... Kobe get's an instant contender in the Leastern Conference, and Ainge gets reprieve for his poor luck in the lottery. That picture is painted.

by ffgolden on May 30, 2007 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like your trade proposal

I'd probably even let them keep Mo Evans if it came to it. The only quibble I'd have is with McGuire in the starting lineup. Even if he is all you say, it's going to take him a year or two to develop; and any team featuring a backcourt of Baron and Kobe is most definitely Go For It Effing Now.

That said, your point about Nelson scrounging the remaining pieces is pretty key. Once you have a backcourt of Kobe/Baron, with a Top 10 NBA pivot in Biedrins, all that really stands between you and a championship is (b) staying healthy; and (c) some smart, creative scrounging.

Between Jax, Barnes, Buki, Powell, the #18 pick, and the scrap-heap, we should be able to at least match the #4-9 players on the depth chart of those unbeatable Bulls teams.

I agree that the Lakers would be unlikely to trade Kobe within the division, but I'd be disappointed if we didn't at least make them a competitive offer. After all ... why not us? We believe!

by Sleepy Freud on May 30, 2007 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

is it wrong

That I'm disgusted by alot of the comments below this one?

by OptionZero on May 30, 2007 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

it wont happen

by dallaswarrior on May 30, 2007 12:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Another Interview

Power 106 Kobe Interview

by ThisIZtheSeason on May 30, 2007 12:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

And Another

Dan Patrick Kobe Interview

by ThisIZtheSeason on May 30, 2007 1:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

lol

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=2751~254~308~3019~1018~110~617&teams=1 3~13~13~13~13~9~9

would you do this?

by djchuckdeez on May 30, 2007 1:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

wee

keep monta and throw in someone else and i'd do it.

a starting five of baron kobe jackson odom and biedrins would be solid.

but in reality i dont really want to be the golden state lakers, so no.

"I make love to pressure." -Stephen Jackson

by coma on May 30, 2007 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Instantaneously

by awesomer on May 30, 2007 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

lamar odom is garbage

keep him away from the warriors

by GameSix on May 30, 2007 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd add Turiaf to go north.

He's a heavier version of Gatling...and both are energy players. Besides, the Lakers are loaded with bigs.

www.TRACKjams.com

by MANUTEs BOLs on May 30, 2007 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

smhsmmms

Kobe on AM570 KLAC

by ThisIZtheSeason on May 30, 2007 1:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If I'm the Lakers,

I'm on the phone desperately trying to get the #1 or #2 picks from Portland or Seattle, with Kobe as the trade bait.

by jlagace on May 30, 2007 2:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I hate Kobe and...

I think if he is traded he will go to the east but this is a W's blog so I'll just throw out another trade proposal and think about how fun it would be to watch Kobe score 50per under Nellie.

Lakers get:
J-Rich
Monta
TMNHarrington
Sarunas
POB

Ws get:
Kobe
Vlad Rad
Sasha V

This would give the Lakers a ton of fire power some potential and a small expiring contract. Plus they have had some issues w/ Radmonovndaslk and this would get rid of him.
The warriors would...well we would get Kobe.
It would not solve any of our current problems but Kobe and Baron together would be NASTY.

Ws Lineup
Baron
Kobe
SJax
Vlad
AB

The bench would be paper thin. we would have to get lucky in the draft and hopefully we could scrape together enough cash to resign Barnes.

This will never happen but I think every team in the L needs to give it a shot when a top level talent becomes available, and if by some chance the Lakers were interested I would pull the trigger in a heart beat.

by olympicmike on May 30, 2007 2:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

In the end, I think Kobe stays in LA, but...

I proposed this trade to get Garnett. But, with the recent developments with Kobe, I checked ESPN trade machine and RealGM trade checker to see if the trade would work for Kobe.

Lo and behold, it worked.

J-Rich
Monta
Al
Foyle

for

Kobe
Lamar

On ESPN trade machine this trade went through as is. But, on RealGM trade checker I had to add POB for it to go through.

If the Lakers want, Golden State can even throw in a couple of future draft picks for good measure.

Here's the Warriors starting lineup:

Baron
Kobe
Jackson
Lamar
Biedrins

As I've said before I'm a Laker fan, but I'm from the Bay Area. So, I wouldn't mind seeing him in a Warriors uniform.

I would love for Kobe to be a Laker for life, but I don't blame him for wanting to leave. The Lakers organization is just a mess right now and I would rather him go somewhere else then to see his prime wasted any further.

by THE DAGGER on May 30, 2007 2:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

False alarm

he retracted his trade request.

by GameSix on May 31, 2007 9:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He's still holding his ground

What he said

Wednesday morning, to ESPN radio's Stephen A. Smith:

"I would like to be traded, yeah.... At this point I'll go play on Pluto."

Midday, with ESPN's Dan Patrick:

"I don't want to go anywhere else. I want to be here for the rest of my career."

Later, on L.A.'s AM 570 KLAC:

Phil Jackson said, " 'Let us try to work that out.... ' That made me feel a lot better."

Finally, in a Times interview:

"It's just a matter of I don't want to go no place else." But asked if he still wanted to be traded: "Yes."

LA Times Article

by ThisIZtheSeason on May 31, 2007 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see kobe leaving either

But something will happen. Front office change. Maybe not Jerry West but someone who's smarter than Mitch.

Since resigning kobe they've made horrible moves.

Traded Caron Butler for Kwame Butterfingers Brown.

They then picked up Kwame's option for this upcoming season based on last years playoff performance. Too bad he was injuried all season and when he did play sucked. They are stuck with another 9 million for next year.

Giving max mid level exception to Radmonivic. They should've voided his deal the instant he got into that snowboarding accident. But they go give him the max when Marcus banks was avaliable. Is Banks the greatest PG? no but he's a hell of a lot better than Smush Parker.

Anyhow since we can all dream. I say the warriors mortgage their entire future on Kobe. We won't be lottery bound for the next few years anyhow. And I don't see any prospect that will fall down enough that would be better than kobe.

I'm sure Kobe would be happy. He has guys on the team that will be willing to take the shots. Can't remember the countless Laker games I've watched where the players would stand and watch kobe, not a single one would come over and help him get out of a trap.

We gave up 3 first round picks for Webber and there's nothing you can tell me to make me believe that Webber was worth 3 1st round picks.

Plus landing kobe will make up for at least partly for taking Todd Fuller in 96 when kobe was still there.

by ufwa on May 31, 2007 9:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Kobe Bryant = Terrell Owens

Kobe Bryant is the NBA's version of Terrell Owens. A good player, but supposedly a bad teammate. Whether or not he gets his trade demand met, Kobe could bring any franchise down. The man needs help, period. He really needs another superstar to help him out instead of some 2nd rate star in Lamar Odom. It's more likely for the Lakers to trade for someone to support Kobe. I'd say they should trade Odom for Jermaine O'Neal straight up. Let the Lakers give up their first round draft choice to package a deal. It'll benefit everyone, including us. Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy will ultimately become superstars in Indiana, while the Lakers will continue to struggle getting out of the first round. We improve our superb play in the Pacific in order to better our positioning for next year.

by Phil T28 on May 31, 2007 10:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Not exactly...

Terrell Owens is a diseage to any team he goes to. Kobe's teamates actually like him. Countless times I have seen interviews with Lamar Odom, Luke Walton and so on saying what a good teamate Kobe is. I'm not sure why he gets such a bad rep but I wouldn't pick a single player in the NBA that I would want more on my than Kobe. We have seen that he can play unselfishly, but on that laker team if he does that they win 30-35 games, and no more than that.

by BDiddyDaGeneral on May 31, 2007 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs