RealGM

I read this article from Derrin Horton, a KTLA 5 sports anchor. He gives the impression that the Lakers should at least think about trading Kobe Bryant.

Ok, so on the surface, the very utterance of what I am about to say sounds, and even feels, a bit sacrilegious. In fact, every basketball analyst across the board is unanimous in saying outside of Kobe, and in some cases, Kobe and Bynum, the Lakers need to tear apart this team and inject some youth and athleticism.

You know -- one of those renovations where you replace some of the old fixtures with some of those new sleek contemporary finishes.

But what if the blueprints of this latest Lakers rebuild contained a much bigger more dramatic vision? Could it be that now is the time for - dare I say - an extreme Lakers makeover?

Sometimes, the very answer to the problem, is, as the cliché goes, the elephant in the room. Or in this case, a black mamba snake.

That's why I believe the Lakers need to trade Kobe Bryant.

Read the rest here:
http://www.ktla.com/sports/ktla-horton-lakers-should-trade-kobe,0,237330.story

It's a bit drastic to think that, but even if the Lakers were open to trade him, he has a no-trade clause and can veto any trade the Lakers would try to deal him in.

Thoughts? Is Derrin Horton off his rocker or does he have something here?

Sensationalism works.

You don't get dollar for dollar when trading an aging superstar. We should know first hand of what will happen from our experience trading Shaq.

How about no?

wont ever happen

Forget about dollar for dollar in terms of playing, but Buss knows damn well he can't get dollar for dollar in terms of actual money Kobe brings the team. Kobe was named most profitable Laker for the franchise in 05-06. Last report had him bringing in over $80M annually just off his likeness to the franchise. He is the top road and tv draw there is and has been for years. He is adored globally. Time Warner paid out their behinds for a library of his games according to the analyst who broke the deal down on Mason and Ireland. Buss would never trade the guy who lays constant golden eggs for him in business and on the court in basketball.

Doesn't Kobe have a no trade clause in his contract?

no

Yeah. That's another consideration. The franchise's marketability goes down the drain by trading Kobe. Beckham, Adam Sandler, Denzel and Garcia aren't paying top dollar for court side seats to watch Gasol balling out there.

hell no, but it kind of pisses me off how kobe is not taking a bit of a paycut since his contract is about half the salary cap

id like to see him play till he is 40+ but not if he sign huge contracts

Kobe Bryant Laker Legend. He will always wear the purple and gold until he retires.

nope, not unless the incoming player is lebron james or kevin durant

I have a feeling that most of you who say no to trading Kobe and not even giving it consideration are the ones who think Kobe is still at the top of his game. Sure Kobe is still a top SG in the league, but he isn't the best. In the next 3 seasons, Kobe is getting paid $83,546,000. That averages out to $27,848,666 a year (nobody in basketball deserves this kind of money (339,617 per game)).

1. The Lakers are paying Kobe way to much, leaves no room for getting other role players that are worthwhile.
2. Kobe still thinks he's in his prime, he still thinks he can take over games, he still think he has killer instinct. This past season he has been turning the ball over in the clutch leading to fast break points. He needs to accept the fact that he isn't athletic as he was before, only then can the Lakers move forward. Kobe is both the Lakers Strongest and weakest link. Strongest in IQ and how he runs the court, weakest in his thinking down the stretch or in close games.
3. Kobe's defense IS overrated. He always drifts off his man, forget about opp PER or what ever, PER is useless.
4. Kobe has GREAT trade potential.
5. As much as I would want to trade him...if I was the owner, part owner...ect, I would keep him on the team. He has done so much for LA. Trading him is a slap in the face. I even thought about trading him a few seasons back so we could get even more. We actually have some trade bait in Pau Gasol now. Don't know how much teams will trade for him seeing his performance in the PO's.
6. If it wasn't for ethics, or being a good businessman, I would trade him.

I still think Kobe has a lot left and it would be real hard to replace what he brings with a trade.

It's kind of funny though...

All the time you see players demanding trades and jumping ship for greener pastures and almost everyone including the jilted fans thinks it's understandable...

Players seem to harbor little or no allegiance to any particular franchise... And no one really expects them to.

But when a fan favorite player is traded, people seem to feel sorry for them and sometimes make a big deal about the franchise being cold or mean or something...

Unfortunately the days of players being drafted by and retiring with the same team are mostly long gone.

The excuses for a player when they demand a trade or leave during free agency are "I want to win" and "It's a business." Well, I want the Lakers to win and the Lakers business is winning...

So if the right pieces could be had by trading Kobe, I'd be all for it... And I'm thinking Rose, Durant, LeBron, Howard type pieces too...

I don't think that's happening though...

Sure it would suck a little bit to give up on that dream of having Kobe for his entire career, but Kobe almost gave up on it a few times too... So what the hell...

I mean - what ???

I posted this a week ago ... nothing new. As lakers brass you ALWAYS have to be on the lookout to IMPROVE your team and if you can realistically do that by trading Kobe, you do it, period.

However, another huge consideration which some of you have brought up is that this is a business as well and as such the Buss family is in this to make money. So, if you're gonna move Kobe it not only has to be for the right talent but for the right personalities to keep the money rolling in.

Sure you may actually be able to improve the win total of your team by trading Kobe, Walton and Fisher to the 76'ers for Iggy, Turner and Brand or to the Hawks for Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Jeff Teague ... and Kobe may even accept those trades as a Jrue/Kobe/Thad/Speights/Hawes is good enough to make some noise in the playoffs and a Hinrich/Kobe/Marvin/Horford/Zaza lineup is good enough to legitimately contend in the East ... but ... is an Iggy or Joe Johnson going to create the buzz and make the money for the Lakers that Kobe does? No.

The only hope of that happening would be a trade with the Knicks for Melo and I doubt the Knicks would trade for someone 6 years older.

The only other option would be trading for a young gun that you feel could reasonably become the face of the franchise, something like a Kobe for Demar DeRozan, #3 pick (Kemba Walker), Barbosa and expiring contracts from the Raptors or a Kobe for Steph Curry, Biedrins and the expiring contract of Radman from the Warriors ... but do you really think Kobe will sign off on a deal to the Raptors or Warriors? I didn't think so.

kblo247 wrote:Forget about dollar for dollar in terms of playing, but Buss knows damn well he can't get dollar for dollar in terms of actual money Kobe brings the team. Kobe was named most profitable Laker for the franchise in 05-06. Last report had him bringing in over $80M annually just off his likeness to the franchise. He is the top road and tv draw there is and has been for years. He is adored globally. Time Warner paid out their behinds for a library of his games according to the analyst who broke the deal down on Mason and Ireland. Buss would never trade the guy who lays constant golden eggs for him in business and on the court in basketball.

Enough said.

Seeing Kobe in another uniform just wouldn't be right.

Well, the truth is that Kobe didn't have an incredibly efficient season statistically this year. However, I think a lot of that had to do with his health.

Anyone who thinks Kobe should be traded is on crack