[imgv94]

He won't be a Laker..

[onlooker]

From what they were talking about yesterday, it seems the Bulls have a good shot at him.

How about that? The guy that wants to be Jordan, going to Jordan's domain. Wouldn't that be something.

[imgv94]

Sure would looker.. I've heard he is obsessed with Jordan..

[onlooker]

What about to the Sonics or Blazers, for their #1 or #2 pick?

Kobe worth that?

How would the Lakers be with Oden or Durant?

[zootiehead]

You can bet if Kobe leaves, Phil will also. He won't coach a team without an elite player.

[tevari]

two funny theories about why kobe changed his number from 8 to 24..

a.) he already won three championships, 3 x 8 (his number) is 24.

b.) he's one better than jordan

[onlooker]

b.) he's one better than jordan

That surely is not why.

[rjt721]

You can bet if Kobe leaves, Phil will also. He won't coach a team without an elite player.

No doubt about that.

I just can't see Jerry Buss trading Kobe, even if it may be the best thing for the franchise. Trading Kobe makes the Lakers irrelevant. Despite the fact they are a mediocre team, they're still one of, if not the biggest draw on the road. They have the highest ticket prices and sell out every game for one reason: Kobe. The majority of Lakers season ticket holders could care less if the team wins, they just want be entertained.

If Kobe does get traded, the Bulls are the most logical destination, although they will have to part with Deng in the package, something Chicago may not be willing to do.

[MonkeyF0cker]

I'm thinking he'll be donning a Milwaukee Bucks uniform next year. Kobe + 2 first rounders for Andrew Bogut.

[ShamsWoof10]

K. Bryant should stay and they should get rid of some of those guys that can't shoot and get guys around him that can carry some of the load... The role players they have now are sh*t compared to what he and Jordan had... After all it is a TEAM sport right..?

[gridironguy]

I'll be shocked if he gets traded. He knows that any team who gets him will have been gutted by the trade, so he'll be right back to square one.

I really think he's bluffing, just trying to make Dr. Buss bring back Jerry West..

[jjgold]

Most likely Chicago but he will not make them a winner ith Deng, just will be a ball hog again with no players.

[BadAzz]

I sure hope the Bulls are not going to pull the trigger here. They are one decent low post scorer away from being a serious contender. Bringing in kobe equals blowing the current team up, which they surely do not need.

Last summer they had by far the best situation personnel/salary wise in the nba. They ****ed up royally, but they still have a very good situation. Now, just bring in an inside threat and Bulls will be in the finals.

[jjgold]

would be the biggest mistake in Bulls history to get Kobe

[MAB]

I heard either the Bulls or the Knicks. Knicks?? In the end, he will remain a Laker.

[thezbar]

Denver? No forget that one.
Suns! He could be the missing link to put them over the top+
Bulls? Looks like a good fit
Heat! - Kobe and Shaq kiss make up and go for another ring/doubtful
Clippers Knicks = another mistake if that happens.

[Doc JS]

What about to the Sonics or Blazers, for their #1 or #2 pick?

Kobe worth that?

How would the Lakers be with Oden or Durant?

I hear what you're saying but...

#1 I wouldn't trade him because you can't get back fair market value.

#2 I certainly wouldn't trade him to a team in the west where you had to see him multiple times in a year. If I was going to trade him, it would be to a team in the east.

Doc JS

[Dark Horse]

Heat, trade for Wade.

[bookie]

I wouldn't trade him because you can't get back fair market value.
Doc JS

I agree, but on the other hand if you go to camp with him sulking and vowing to walk away after 2009 you're not going to be able to sign any free agents and you're not going to get anything for him in two years. Lakers might reason better a Bogut or Deng and first-rounders now then nothing later.

[jjgold]

Knicks would be a good fit only if they kept Curry

[Bill Dozer]

Phoenix could offer Barbosa, Marion and Atlanta's 08 first rounder. Can that be beat?

[pico]

kobe should go to miami, so he can be with his buddy shaq again

[rjt721]

Phoenix could offer Barbosa, Marion and Atlanta's 08 first rounder. Can that be beat?

In terms of talent, no. However, I can't see the Lakers sending him within the conference to play with Nash, Amare, Bell and Diaw, which would pretty much guarantee the Suns the next 3 championships.

[onlooker]

I agree with the statements of trading him to the East. The Lakers wouldn't want to keep him in the West.

[hitbitritz]

i'm still not convinced he's going anyhwere

[rjt721]

From Hoopsworld:

Recently Basketball News was approached with the opportunity to purchase video footage featuring Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant. In what was apparently a chance encounter outside of a Newport Beach deli, Bryant spoke openly about his frustration with the team's personnel decisions.

It is outside of our journalistic ethics to obtain a video for money. However, the owners of the clip are committed to making the content public.

Having turned away a lucrative offer (by an unknown party) to destroy the tape, the group has put the video on the market to the highest bidder.

Whether they make a little bit, or as one of the gentlemen indicated, "more than a little bit," eventually it will make headlines.

I have seen the video. Bryant is wearing a red shirt and sunglasses. Apparently the videographer and Bryant frequent the same establishment and are on general speaking terms.

While the conversation was purported to have lasted approximately 15 minutes, the video is brief. It was taken with a digital camera and leaves no doubt that it is in fact Bryant.

Interspersed with numerous cuss words, Bryant discusses the Lakers' decision not to trade Andrew Bynum to the New Jersey Nets at the trade deadline in February.

"Ship his [rear end] out. We're talking Jason Kidd," said Bryant. "They didn't want to do that. That's why we're in this [messed up] position."

The footage was shot in early June, close to the date when Bryant went on numerous radio stations to express his unhappiness in the team's direction . . . and ultimately demand a trade.

In addition to the video the group has an audio clip captured on a cell phone on June 10th.

Bryant is approached with the query, "Please tell us you're staying!"

His response: "Get a [Chicago] Bulls uniform fellas."

The "Kobe Video Guys", as they wish to be called, feel the "public has a right to know." Justifying their individual pursuit, they feel Bryant has no reasonable expectation of privacy. He was speaking openly in front of a camera without any request of confidentiality.

This is a difficult subject to breach as I'm not a fan of sensationalist journalism. The bottom line is that these quotes (and/or clips) will end up on sites like TMZ.com and ESPN.com within a week's time.

Laker spokesman John Black declined comment Sunday.

Having covered the Los Angeles Lakers for some time now, there is no question that it is Bryant on the video.

While an audio clip can be doctored, based on my experience interviewing Bryant numerous times . . . I am confident it is his voice.

In the meantime, the administrator of his website (kb24.com) is under explicit instructions from Bryant to keep the Laker All-Star's "farewell" message current. The Associated Press recently reported it as a new statement, but it was just Bryant reiterating his commitment to leaving the Lakers.

Team owner Dr. Jerry Buss recently met with Kobe in Barcelona to discuss Bryant's future. As reported by Basketball News on Saturday, Bryant has not backed off his trade demand.

It's difficult to tell how Buss will respond to Bryant's request or if this new information will have any impact on that decision.

Ultimately the team has Bryant under contract until at least 2009. While he can use the media to pressure the team, he cannot force the Lakers to deal him.

Buss reportedly plans on meeting again with Bryant, but with the NBA Draft approaching quickly, decisions need to be made . . . and soon.

[WileOut]

He needs to team up with Garnett. I simply cannot imagine a team with those 2 players on it not winning the title.

Put some 3 point shooter out there and a couple good rebounders and you've got a national title team.

[Razz]

Phoenix could offer Barbosa, Marion and Atlanta's 08 first rounder. Can that be beat?

Although it would be interesting to see the most unselfish player in the NBA and the most selfish player in the NBA in the same backcourt, this trade doesn't really make a whole lot of sense for either team.
The Suns can't give up 1) their best defender, 2) the biggest game-changer in the NBA, and 3) what is certain to be a top 10 pick for a player that, while still among the league's best, is on the downturn of his career and could potentially destroy the chemistry and schematics of the team. The Lakers can't give up Kobe without getting a marquee name or go-to-guy.

Kobe will be a Laker next year, I'd bet anything on it.

[tacomax]

The Lakers can't give up Kobe without getting a marquee name or go-to-guy.

Kobe will be a Laker next year, I'd bet anything on it.

Aside from everything else you said, that's the primary aspect. Unless they get a Kobe-esque name in the side, the Lakers are screwed.

[imgv94]

He needs to team up with Garnett. I simply cannot imagine a team with those 2 players on it not winning the title.

Put some 3 point shooter out there and a couple good rebounders and you've got a national title team.

Agree..

[tblues2005]

I think Kobe could go to Minnesota and trade him for some picks from them. Just looking at possible teams he could go to and I think Minnesota with Garnett would be a good tandem.

[Bill Dozer]

In terms of talent, no. However, I can't see the Lakers sending him within the conference to play with Nash, Amare, Bell and Diaw, which would pretty much guarantee the Suns the next 3 championships.

With 1 or 2 picks going to LA the Lakers are probably that far away from making the playoffs.

[Dark Horse]

Kobe is NOT coming to PHX. Guaranteed. Well... unless Steve Kerr tuns the desert upside down. The unselfishness in PHX is the number one quality of the team, and pretty unique in the NBA. Kobe is all about 'me'.

Plus PHX doesn't need him. They could easily have been champions this year - no thanks to Stu Jackson -, and the last thing they need is an overhaul.

[Flamingo Kid]

Kobe will decide where he wants to go....its not like the Lakers can trade him to whoever they want to.

I think Kobe really doesn't want to leave, he just wants to put pressure on Jerry to acquire a great player, like a Garnett.

Can't see Kobe going anywhere.....but, you never know i guess.