Will the Lakers Trade Kobe Bryant?

The Los Angeles Lakers are apparently still stinging from their first round exit in the 2007 NBA Playoffs. Kobe Bryant was recently quoted as saying that if GM Jerry West does not return to the team next season, he would prefer to be traded. Three years removed from dealing Shaquille O'Neal, the Lakers are still nowhere close to an NBA Championship- but will trading away their premier player really bring better fortunes to the team?

After Kobe voiced his concerns about West leaving, the national sports media erupted with speculation about where Bryant could possibly be traded to. Kobe does have a "no-trade" clause in his contract, but he would waive it if he really wants to leave his team. Because the NBA has very strict rules about trading players (the salaries must line up in a certain way), the scenarios involving Kobe leaving L.A. are rather specific. Kobe makes over $17 million next season, so in most cases a team would have to move more than one player to get him.

"Mike and Mike in the Morning," an television simulcast of ESPN Radio's show of the same name, spoke at great length about the topic Tuesday morning and explored the trade possibilities with a computer program that showed what exact trades could be made according to the salary rules. The following are some of the most likely (and least likely) trades that could be made for Kobe Bryant if he wants out of Los Angeles.

One of the most complicated possible deals is a three-way trade between the Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, and the New Jersey Nets. In this trade, Indiana would get Kobe Bryant, L.A. would get Richard Jefferson, Marcus Williams, and Jason Collins, and New Jersey would pick up Jermaine O'Neal and Jordan Farmar. This deal would appeal to L.A. because it involves Bryant leaving the Western Conference, avoiding the sticky situation of having to play against him several times a season. However, the Nets would be giving up a good portion of their team for not much more than an aging and injury plagued O'Neal. Los Angeles wouldn't like the trade a whole lot either, since they would be giving up a superstar for a trio of players that would serve mostly bench roles (besides Jefferson).

Likelihood of trade: 20%

Another trade involves Los Angeles and the Milwaukee Bucks. Milwaukee would give up their young center Andrew Bogut and star guard Michael Redd and would receive Bryant in return. Although the dollars work out, both parties would have gripes about this scenario. L.A. would be happy to get Redd, but they have put a lot into their blossoming center Andrew Bynum, who they would hesitate to bench in place of Bogut. If Milwaukee made this trade, they would lose all of their post presence and would lose a star guard (Redd) who is still in his prime.

Likelihood of trade: 25%

Another scenario is a one-for-one trade for the 2007 MVP Dirk Nowitzki. The Dallas Mavericks would get Bryant, and the Lakers would get Nowitzki, plain and simple. Bryant is likely the better player, and Dallas may be looking to mix up their lineup after being jolted out of the playoffs by Golden State in the first round this post-season. However, this would mean that Bryant would stay in the West and L.A. would have to sit one of their young big men, either Andrew Bynum or Lamar Odom. Although this deal would look beautiful in headlines, it's just not gonna happen.

Likelihood of trade: 10%

Would Los Angeles move Bryant for even more young talent? In a deal with the Charlotte Bobcats, Bryant could be traded for Emeka Okefor, Adam Morrison, and Ray Felton. Granted, this would involve Charlotte scrapping 60% of their future starting lineup in return for one player, and L.A. would be getting more young big men that they don't really need. The Bobcats probably don't want to mess up the chemistry of their improving young team, and Bryant wouldn't waive his no-trade clause to play for a small market team.

Likelihood of trade: 15%

The last possible trade is definitely the most interesting. The Chicago Bulls would trade Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, and Ben Wallace to Los Angeles for Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum. This would get Kobe out of the West and into a big market organization where he could continue to assume the role of "The Next Michael Jordan." Chicago would get the star power they may need to make a big splash in the East and they would get to move the aging Ben Wallace in return for a bright young star. Phil Jackson's triangle offense could do wonders with Ben Gordon, and Luol Deng is athletic enough to play almost any position on the floor. Although Chicago may not want to shake up their young and improving team, this deal looks stellar for both clubs.

Likelihood of trade: 30%

Although it is fun to speculate about trade possibilities for Kobe Bryant, it is unlikely that he will be traded. He would only waive his no-trade clause for a deal he thought would work out, and L.A. knows they could be making a huge mistake by moving a superstar in his prime.

Source: "Mike and Mike in the Morning," ESPN, May 29, 2007.