Lakers Rumors: Three Realistic Kobe Bryant Trades That the Mamba Would Agree Too

The Los Angeles Lakers are in a strange position.

The face of their franchise, five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant, and their fan base is in win-now mode. However, the Lakers roster as currently constructed aren't capable of winning another championship.

Nearly everyone in Laker land believes a change is needed but no one seems to know exactly what that change is.

The Lakers already traded their best bench player and most popular teammate, defending sixth man of the year Lamar Odom, to the Dallas Mavericks—the team that swept them out of the playoffs last season.

It is common knowledge that the Lakers would love to trade for Dwight Howard and are interested in Cavaliers point guard Ramon Sessions and Trail Blazers point guard Ray Felton.

Recently, Roland Lazenby reported that Pau Gasol's days as a Laker are all but over.

However, are any of the above scenarios truly the change the Lakers need to propel them to their fourth NBA Finals appearance in five seasons?

That is the question everyone wants answered.

One change that is never discussed is perhaps the Lakers needing to switch from being a Kobe Bryant team.

The time to do so may be right now.

The most important thing to understand about any potential Kobe Byant trade is that Kobe has one of the league's only true "no-trade clause". If the Lakers decide to trade Kobe they will need his permission to do so.

Many fans feel that because Kobe has a no-trade clause, he would nix any trade the Lakers proposed that included him.

I don't believe this–Kobe Bryant is an extremely proud man and wants to win.

With all of that said, here are the three trades I believe Kobe and the Lakers could mutually agree on, sending the Black Mamba out of Los Angeles.

Kobe Bryant in the House That Jordan Built?

LAKERS TRADE: Kobe Bryant, Matt Barnes and Andrew Goudelock

BULLS TRADE: Luol Deng, Ronnie Brewer, Richard Hamilton, 2012 first-round pick and $3 million

This trade nets a solid, if not spectacular return for the Lakers.

Luol Deng is an All-Star, two-way player who would fit well in the starting front court with Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. Brewer and Hamilton would split time at the shooting guard spot and the No. 1 pick would certainly come in handy.

Kobe Bryant would certainly agree to this trade as a starting five of Rose/Bryant/Barnes/Boozer/Noah with a bench of Watson/Goudelock/Korver/Gibson/Asik would be absolutely dynamic.

As for the Bulls, they would be insane not to agree to this trade as it would improve their team immediately and make them the favorites to win a title.

Could Kobe win his sixth title, tying Michael Jordan, or even his seventh ring, besting Jordan, in the house that Michael built?

Kobe Bryant Returns to His Hometown of Philadelphia?

LAKERS TRADE: Kobe Bryant, Matt Barnes, Steve Blake and Devin Ebanks

76'ers TRADE: Evan Turner, Lou Williams, Thad Young, Andres Nocioni, Tony Battie, 2012 first-round pick and $3 million

The Lakers would be thrilled with the above trade from a pure talent perspective.

However, it takes a severe hit to their attractiveness and a must-see team.

While Los Angeles would come away stacked with talented players, none bring the superstar presence of Kobe in return—something that will hurt ticket sales.

Kobe would agree to this trade, welcoming a return home to the city of Philadelphia—the hometown Kobe famously stated he would rip the heart out of during the 2001 NBA Finals.

Why?

Because Kobe knows that a starting five of Holiday/Bryant/Iguodala/Brand/Hawes and a solid bench is good enough, on paper anyways, to compete for a title.

As for Philadelphia, I do believe they would agree to this trade.

Many fans, especially those who still hate Kobe, would hoot and holler in disagreement about trading so much youth for a 33 year old—even one as legendary as Bryant.

However, ownership would pull the trigger on this deal, knowing it would increase revenue incredibly with the hope that Bryant can lead them to a title in the next couple of years. 

Could Kobe Bryant finish his career in his hometown and turn all the boos he heard while receiving his All-Star MVP award in 2002 into cheers on a nightly basis? 

Kobe Bryant in the Big Apple?

LAKERS TRADE: Kobe Bryant, Matt Barnes and Devin Ebanks

KNICKS TRADE: Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith and Mike Bibby

Out of all the trade proposals, this is the one trade where the Lakers acquire a bona fide superstar to replace Bryant.

Los Angeles is all about star power and outside of Kobe, LeBron, Howard and Wade, there isn't a bigger star than Carmelo Anthony.

J.R. Smith is also a big time player with an insane skill set that could flourish in Hollywood.

Trading a 33-year-old, top-two shooting guard and a pair of expiring contracts for a much younger, incredibly gifted shooting guard as well as a much younger, top three small forward is as much as the Lakers could hope to receive for Kobe.

After the trade, the Knicks end up with perhaps the deepest roster in the entire NBA:

PG: Lin/Davis/Douglas

SG: Kobe/Shumpert/Walker

SF: Fields/Barnes/Ebanks

PF: Stoudemire/Novak/Jeffries

C:  Chandler/Harrellson/Jordan

That lineup is good enough to win a title right away!

As for the Knicks, they would agree to this faster than Isiah Thomas spent money while he was the Knicks GM, period.

In conclusion, I would not trade Kobe if I was the Lakers GM.

But, if they do decide to trade him, I believe the Knicks are the best bet to acquire him, followed the by the 76'ers and Bulls.