Kobe Trade Coming Soon?

Earlier this weekend, I was starting to wonder why there wasnt anymore talk of Kobe Bryant and his trade demand. There was the huge eruption of Kobe news for a couple days a few weeks ago, and then everything seemingly disappeared. On the day he demanded a trade, he also went on the radio in Los Angeles, saying he was just frustrated and wasnt totally sure he wanted to leave. So what was it? Did he want out? Did he really want to stay? Media and fans kind of shrugged their shoulders, threw their hands up, and basically said forget it and went along watching the rest of the playoffs.

Until today......

The Los Angeles Times reports Kobe stuck to his trade demand in a meeting with owner Jerry Buss and wants out. Well, that certainly sends some serious shockwaves through the NBA community once again. And exactly how does the owner and star player, both of whom live in the Los Angeles area, have to meet up in Spain to talk? Whatever is going through the minds of these two, nobody will truly know. Yet, it makes for great banter, and the possibilities are endless to dream up.

So where will Kobe land? Kobe isn't going to any Western team. You think the Lakers ownership and management wants to see The Mamba busting their tails 4 times a year and sticking it to them? Hell no. So that eliminates half the league. In the East, the most discussed teams are New York and Chicago. Chicago makes sense. Look at the assets they have. Tyrus Thomas, Luol Deng, Ben Gordan, the #9 pick, the list goes on. These cats can play, and bust their tails on the court. There is no reason for the Lakers not to like a package that could come of this. New York on the otherhand, has the basketball equivilant of a bag of dirty gym socks. David Lee, Renaldo Balkman, or Channing Frye could be good players now or very soon. Yet, their contracts are a pittance compared to Kobe. New York needs to throw in high salaried guys like Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford, or Steve Francis to make this work. In other words, fat chance of that happening Knick fans

So I started to think of other teams that could make it work. Namely, the Altanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, and Detroit Pistons.

Atlanta could provide a much better opportunity than at first glance. First, they actually do have a lot to offer to the Lakers. They have a high salaried player in Joe Johnson, who is pretty damn good, unlike the Knick players. Johnson was an All-Star this past season, and can light up the stat sheet with the best of them. He knows how to score, and is a very underrated player. Playing in Atlanta tends to do that to a player. So what from the Laker side isnt to like of a package of Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, and either the 3rd or 11th pick in this draft? The Lakers get a current All-Star (and im telling you, Johnson is the real deal, just watch him play), and two young horses who have loads of potential. Not to mention a lottery pick in one of the strongest and deepest drafts ever. From the Hawks side, its great for very obvious reasons. On top of that, they will still have plenty of cap room to woo Chauncey Billups, Rashard Lewis, or an up and comer like Mo Williams. Not bad is it?

Washington can offer the Lakers an already household name, a player who is already one of the most marketable in the league, and would blow up even more in LA. Gilbert Arenas is only 26, and is the type of electrifying star LA needs. But that is where the easy part ends. Washington would obviously have to move Caron Butler or Antawn Jamison as well, since these guys are all shooting guards or small forwards, and you cant have three of them for only two spots. I cant see Washington moving Butler, as he is still young and improving. Jamison has a monster contract, but only one year left on it. Would LA really want to take it on? That is questionable. Maybe a three-way traded can be organized. The parts are there, but completing it may be the hardest task.

Finally, the Detroit Pistons are a team nobody is talking about. However, they have a ton of assets, and could sneak in the backdoor and steal Kobe away. The Pistons can start by offering up Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince. Nothing to not like about that from the Laker perspective. Hamilton can run all day, and has a better mid-range game than almost anyone. Prince can defend almost anyone, and brings all the intangibles anyone could ever want. After that, the Pistons can throw in another young stud like Jason Maxiell or Amir Johnson. These guys are super athletic and hungry. Maxiell is a beast, think of a poor man's Charles Barkley pre-donuts. His wingspan is huge, goes to the rim with reckless abandon, and is deceptively good at blocking shots. Amir Johnson destroyed that the D-League this year, and only turned 20 last month. If he would have gone to college, he would probably be a top ten lottery pick this year. Johnson is near 7 feet tall, is an athletics freak, and hungry and willing to learn. This kid is always in the gym, doing whatever he can to be the best. The Pistons can throw in either the 15th or 27th pick in this years draft to seal the deal. Now, the Lakers have two established and still young players in Hamilton and Prince to put with Odom, not to mention some young pieces and/or draft picks. From the Pistons side, its simple. They get the superstar the need to take games over, and still have a good nucleus with Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups sticking around. I dont think anymore playoff choke jobs to Cleveland would be happening with Kobe on board.

Will Kobe be traded this offseason? Im starting to believe that yes, it actually will happen. Besides, the NBA needs it. It needs the most premier player in the East. It needs to happen to somewhat balance the power gap between East and West. It will happen.