USA - The player money can't buy: Kobe Bryant wants to leave the Lakers

FAN NEWS (By Greg Varkonyi) - The startling trade demand of arguably the NBA’s best player looks to be the sensation of this summer in the world of US sports.

This we did not foresee. The NBA’s best player, in his prime, asking for a trade. The greats before him (Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson) all stayed with one team through their whole career, or at least through their most productive years.

The closest thing we’ve had in the recent past is Shaquille O’Neal’s two moving projects, yet both times the move was not all that unexpected. Shaq was alienated by the fans and team management in Orlando. In some strange way, he always was only second after Penny Hardaway. Thus his move to Los Angeles was seen as a must. His way out of LA was a minor shock, but considering the fact that he was starting to show wear and tear L.A.’s move was seen as being at least some parts right.

It’s ironic that Kobe’s trade demand has quite a lot to do with how the organization (mis)handled the Shaq trade. The possible impact of this is unfathomable. I’m pretty much 100% sure that every single team’s management is holding extra meetings, working the phones, trying to find a scenario where they would get Kobe. With that in mind I have tried to get the most realistic trade possibility for each team. Here are the results:

Atlanta Hawks
Possible trade: Josh Childress, Marvin Williams, Joe Johnson and this year’s No. 3 draft pick for Kobe and Ronnie Turiaf
Why it could happen: The Lakers would get exactly what they would most covet for Bryant - a host of young, extremely talented, players and a high draft pick. An extra plus goes to the fact that the Hawks are in the Eastern Conference, far-far away from Los Angeles. The league office would also love this move, as it would energize a Hawks franchise that has been in lethargy for many years.
Why it won’t happen: Kobe can nix any deal and he knows he can do better than a team featuring Josh Smith and a bunch of unknowns.

Boston Celtics
Possible trade: Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Brian Scalabrine, Theo Ratliff and many first round draft picks for Kobe and Ronnie Tuiaf
Why it could happen: The Lakers could pair up fellow draftees Green and Andrew Bynum plus Ratliff would mean tremendous cap relief after next season. Add in a No. 5 pick from this season and a bunch of future No. 1s and it helps ease the pain that the loss of Bryant would mean. Meanwhile Boston would become an immediate contender with the duo of Paul Pierce and Kobe. Bryant would also be moving from one historical team to the next.
Why it won’t happen: You think the Lakers would aid arch nemesis Boston in getting back into the upper echelon of the NBA? Fat chance of that ever happening, although it is still better than sending Bryant to their crosstown rivals.

Charlotte Bobcats
Possible trade: Brevin Knight, Sean May, Derek Anderson, Gerald Wallace for Kobe
Why it could happen: It is an enticing package of players who fit into the triangle offense orchestrated by Phil Jackson and a player that is fast becoming a dominant force. Wallace is the type of energy guy who would become a fan favorite in La-La land. Meanwhile Kobe would anchor a talented young team with Emeka Okafor, Raymond Felton and Adam Morisson.
Why it won’t happen: The Lakers will probably not settle for such a package whilst I can not see how the Bobcats would give up any more than that.

Chicago Bulls
Possible trade: Chris Duhon, Ben Gordon, Andres Nocioni and New York’s first round pick for Kobe and Jordan Farmar
Why it could happen: The Lakers get key pieces for a running team, a top ten pick and they send Kobe to the Eastern Conference. The Bulls get Kobe – isn’t that enough? In the East whoever gets Bryant instantly becomes a beast, at least that is what Chicago would hope for with such a trade.
Why it won’t happen: Chicago could become the winner of the Bryant sweepstakes, but it would probably take the inclusion of Luol Deng. It might be too steep a price but Chicago seems determined to win now, and Kobe could help them immensely.

Cleveland Cavaliers
Possible trade: Larry Hughes, Shannon Brown, Drew Gooden, Daniel Gibson multiple draft picks for Kobe and Vladimir Radmanovic
Why it could happen: Just imagine Kobe and LeBron James playing alongside each other. A dream come true, right? All the while the Lakers get useful players, possible cap relief and draft picks, plus they get to unload Vlad-Rad’s dreadful contract.
Why it won’t happen: The Lakers certainly can get better offers than what the Cavs can offer.

Dallas Mavericks
Possible trade: Jason Terry, Jerry Stackhouse, Devin Harris, draft picks for Kobe and Smush Parker or Jordan Farmar.
Why it could happen: The Mavs have enough valuable pieces to make this deal work. After a first round exit in this year’s post season they certainly have to consider trades, even if they did win a record number of games.
Why it won’t happen: For Dallas to remain at the top of this strong Western Conference they should keep energetic Josh Howard and superstar Dirk Nowitzki. I’m pretty sure the Lakers would want one of the two especially since they are keeping Kobe in their conference with such a move.

Denver Nuggets
Possible trade: Allen Iverson, Nene, J.R. Smith for Kobe Bryant and Kwame Brown.
Why it could happen: The Lakers manage to move Kwame’s scary contract. They also get a dominant scorer and a strong post player for Bryant. Denver would pair Carmelo Anthony with Kobe.
Why it won’t happen: Denver is in the west. A.I. is aging. Otherwise this is seemingly a solid move.

Detroit Pistons
Possible trade: Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Nazr Mohammed for Kobe and Radmanovic.
Why it could happen: Radmanovic’s contract gets unloaded. Hamilton and Prince combined would provide the same amount of defense and offense that Kobe would. The Pistons need to re-sign Chauncey Billups. Together with Rasheed Wallace and Kobe they would be the best threesome in the league. Oh, and Detroit would finally get that true go-to guy they’ve been lacking.
Why it won’t happen: If the Pistons win the title, they will not be aggressive enough with trade offers. If they fail at any point in the play-offs then something might just get done.

Golden State Warriors
Possible trade: Stephen Jackson, Patrick O’Bryant, Baron Davis for Kobe and Radmanovic.
Why it could happen: Bad contract being unloaded. Baron is probably the closest to Kobe as far as willing a hopeless team to win.
Why it won’t happen: Kobe will nix this if Baron is moved. The Warriors can’t offer much else to make the numbers work.

Houston Rockets
Possible trade: Tracy McGrady and a first round pick for Kobe.
Why it could happen: The only feasible straight up trade scenario. T-Mac gets almost as much hype as Kobe and he is close to reaching that upper echelon Kobe already has. Meanwhile Bryant is not only an upgrade for the Rockets, but he is far less injury prone than T-Mac.
Why it won’t happen: It is too logical for both teams, although I would love to see what Phil Jackson could add to T-Mac’s game.

Indiana Pacers
Possible trade: Danny Granger, Mike Dunleavy, Troy Murphy, Jamal Tinsley for Kobe, Brian Cook and Maurice Evans.
Why it could happen: Kobe would love to team up with his friend, Jermaine O’Neil.
Why it won’t happen: The Pacers do not have enough to make this work.

Los Angeles Clippers
Possible trade: Tim Thomas, Sam Cassell, Corey Magette and draft picks for Kobe.
Why it could happen: This trade would make sense. The Lakers get cap relief, a solid bench contributor and a talented youngster. The Clippers get Kobe.
Why it won’t happen: Never in a million years would the Lakers help the Clippers!

Memphis Grizzlies
Possible trade: Rudy Gay, Stromile Swift, Dahntay Jones, Mike Miller and this year’s no 4 pick for Kobe and Maurice Evans.
Why it could happen: A last favour for Jerry West?
Why it won’t happen: The Grizzlies do not have enough pieces. Include Gasol and Kobe will not be willing to go there, exclude him and the Lakers want no part of the deal.

Miami Heat
Possible trade: Half the roster (mostly Posey, Jason Williams, Antoine Walker) for Kobe and parts to make salaries match.
Why it could happen: Beats me. The Lakers would probably help Miami to another title with any such move.
Why it won’t happen: Shaq and Wade are off the table, and the Lakers do not need the has-beens Miami has to offer.

Milwaukee Bucks
Possible trade: Michael Redd, Ruben Patterson and first round pick for Kobe.
Why it could happen: In essence you switch Redd for Kobe as far as Milwaukee is concerned. As for the Lakers they get good defense from Patterson, masterful shooting from Redd and a high draft pick.
Why it won’t happen: Redd could team with Bynum in another system, but with the triangle in place, they lack the passing skills necessary.

Minnesota Timberwolves
Possible trade: Randy Foye, Rashad McCants, Ricky Davis, Justin Reed, Mike James and draft picks for Kobe,
Why it could happen: The Lakers would get half a team for Kobe, which seems about right. Davis’ contract means cap relief next summer whilst Foye and McCants are young and talented. Kobe would team with Kevin Garnett to create the top duo in the NBA.
Why it won’t happen: It still does not seem like fair value for Kobe. Neither Foye nor McCants are set to become superstars so there isn’t enough upside to make this work.

New Jersey Nets
Possible trade: Richard Jefferson, Jason Collins, Marcus Williams and draft picks for Kobe and Jordan Farmar.
Why it could happen: Williams has been learning from Jason Kidd and he seems like a very good future starter. Jefferson is the youngest of the Nets’ big three, Collins brings hard nosed defense to a team severely needing it. I don’t think I need to explain just how great a Kobe, Vince Carter, Jason Kidd trio could be.
Why it won’t happen: Carter cannot be included because he can nix any deal and he certainly will not approve moving to a Lakers team with less talent than his worst Raptors teams. The trade stated here works under the cap rules, but is it enough to entice the Lakers?

New York Knicks
Possible trade: Stephon Marbury, Channing Frye, Renaldo Balkman and draft picks for Kobe and Radmanovic.
Why it could happen: The Knicks are always in win-now mode, meaning they would send every first round pick they have until 2020 to get Bryant if that is what it takes. This package has star power and young talent plus as many draft picks as the Lakers want. With Kobe, Eddy Curry and David Lee the Knicks would be huge contenders to represent the East in the finals.
Why it won’t happen: We are talking about Isiah Thomas the GM, not Isiah Thomas the coach – enough said!

New Orleans Hornets
Possible trade: Peja Stojakovic, Desmond Mason, draft picks for Kobe.
Why it could happen: Everyone wans to help New Orleans in their first full season back home, why shouldn’t the Lakers be in a giving mood. Just imagine Chris Paul dishing to Kobe.
Why it won’t happen: It would take the inclusion of David West and/or Chris Paul to make this deal work. There’s no way the Hornets should give up that much for anybody.

Orlando Magic
Possible trade: Darko Milicic, Grant Hill, JJ Redick, draft picks for Kobe.
Why it could happen: Hill is a short term fix, Milicic is a work in progress, but the chance of pairing him with Bynum could be enticing. Dwight Howard with Kobe? Dreamy!
Why it won’t happen: Hill would never agree to this sign and trade. He’ll either retire or go to a contender. The Lakers will not be contending sans Kobe.

Philadelphia 76ers
Possible trade: Andre Miller, Kyle Korver, Joe Smith, draft picks for Kobe.
Why it could happen: Miller has played hard wherever he was. He also is capable of making a team overachieve. Allen Iverson never managed to get it going with Andre Iguodala, Kobe could however be the Jordan to his Pippen.
Why it won’t happen: If this goes to a bidding war Philly do not have enough pieces, but they do have the advantage of being Kobe’s home town.

Phoenix Suns
Possible trade: Shawn Marion, Boris Diaw, Marcus Banks for Kobe and Ronnie Turiaf.
Why it could happen: The Suns’ package is valued high. Marion is an All-Star, Diaw is an all-around all-world talent, Banks might not have fit in well with the Suns’ style, but physically he is the perfect player for the triangle offence. I can not even fathom Kobe in the free flowing system of Mike D’Antoni alongside Steve Nash. This would be too good to be true.
Why it won’t happen: The Suns are a top divisional rival of the Lakers, so they pretty much can forget about getting Bryant for anything less than Amare Stoudemire, and even that is a longshot.

Portland Trailblazers
Possible trade: Darius Miles, Zach Randolph, Brandon Roy, future draft picks for Kobe.
Why it could happen: The Blazers definitely keep this year’s pick to select Greg Oden. Add Kobe and this is a contender straight away. The Lakers get this year’s rookie of the year and an all-star next to the extremely talented but troublesome Miles.
Why it won’t happen: Portland plays in the west. Plus the Lakers would hold out for Oden if they were to deal with the Blazers.

Sacramento Kings
Possible trade: Kenny Thomas, Ron Artest, Kevin Martin, John Salmons for Kobe and Farmar.
Why it could happen: You’re teaming up Mike Bibby, Brad Miller and Kobe – that is a devastating trio. Meanwhile the Lakers get quality starters for four positions and two of them are borderline All-Stars.
Why it won’t happen: Same as the Suns, as division rivals it is going to be tough for the Kings to get into the bidding.

San Antonio Spurs
Possible trade: Brent Barry, Manu Ginobili, Robert Horry for Kobe.
Why it could happen: Because the salaries match.
Why it won’t happen: After the Clippers, the most unlikely team the Lakers would deal with is the Spurs. Just forget this one unless Duncan is on the table, and he will never be.

Seattle Sonics
Possible trade: Rashard Lewis and the Kevin Durant pick for Kobe.
Why it could happen: Believe me, the Lakers would love it if Seattle were to offer this trade. Teaming up Ray Allen and Kobe would at the very least be interesting.
Why it won’t happen: Kobe will not want to go to a team so badly in limbo as the Sonics.

Toronto Raptors
Possible trade: Rasho Nesterovic, Anthony Parker, José Calderon, Juan Dixon, Morris Peterson for Kobe and Brian Cook.
Why it could happen: Another scenario where the Lakers get almost half of a whole team. Every single one of these players are hard workers and team players. Kobe paired with Bosh and TJ Ford would tear the East apart.
Why it won’t happen: This is the best the Raptors can realistically offer, plus Kobe probably does not want to be north of the border.

Utah Jazz
Possible trade: Andrei Kirilenko, Matt Harpring, draft picks for Kobe and Maurice Evans.
Why it could happen: A perfect fantasy trade from last season. Kobe teaming up with the Carlos Boozer-Derron Williams duo is a scary thought. Kind of like imagining Jordan together with John Stockton and Karl Malone.
Why it won’t happen: I don’t think I need to explain this: Kobe is not going to Salt Lake City.

Washington Wizards
Possible trade: Gilbert Arenas, Jarvis Hayes, Etan Thomas, draft picks for Kobe.
Why it could happen: One of the best value deals. Agent Zero would probably love to show that he’s better than Kobe by taking the Lakers to the second round of the play-offs. Whilst that is a longshot, imagine Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler and Kobe running Eddie Jordan’s smooth offense together.
Why it won’t happen: Actually, this one is feasible, but if there is a bidding war, as expected, the Wizards would be reluctant to include anyone else.

So just where will Kobe end up? We might not know for quite a while, but there’s a better chance of him landing with a team in the Eastern Conference. Of course, this is a Knicks fan talking here, so I might just be pressing my luck . . .

* This article is written by a basketball fan and is based on personnal opinions that does not reflect the views of FIBA. Fan articles are part of the Sportingo Network and are brought to you for discussion & opinion matters.