While headlines are currently buzzing around the team, none seems bigger than the speculation by ESPN’s Ric Bucher and Stephen A. Smith that the Lakers’ star Kobe Bryant will demand a trade by the end of this season.
The two NBA reporters are claiming that the Lakers front office seems to be taking a step back from championship contention, troubling Kobe, who wants to add a few more rings to his collection in the last few years of his stellar career.
While it may seem farfetched and absurd to even think of Kobe being on another team, for the sake of this article, let’s assume that Kobe does ask for a trade, and the Lakers, unlike 2007, grant his trade. Kobe would have to go to a team that can absorb his gigantic salary and be able to give the Lakers a king’s ransom for one of the best players in the game.
Lastly, the team would have to be a contender for Kobe’s last few years in order for him to waive his no trade clause. Here are a few hypothetical possibilities, in order from least likely to most likely, if Kobe ever did ask for a trade.
5) Lakers and Grizzlies
Lakers receive: Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, Mike Conley, Brian Skinner, Darrell Arthur
Grizzlies receive: Kobe Bryant, Luke Walton, Steve Blake
The Grizzlies are a young team that is getting better every year, even beating the No. 1-seeded Spurs in the playoffs last season.
The previous successes of this team may cause Kobe to waive his no-trade clause to join a team in need of a veteran leader to put this team in contention for a championship.
It is an obvious plus for the Grizzlies to receive one of the best players in the game to combine with young center Marc Gasol and experienced scorer Zach Randolph.
The Lakers would do this trade because they re...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers