Lakers News: Kobe Bryant Must Remain with Los Angeles Despite Trade Rumors

After an 0-5 start to the 2014-15 season, the Los Angeles Lakers could be considering drastic moves to help the team. However, this should not include dealing Kobe Bryant.

A trade like this would seem out of the question for a superstar of this level, especially when the 36-year-old veteran is basically the only attraction at the Staples Center each night. Still, teams like the New York Knicks are one of many who could be interested in bringing in the elite shooting guard.

Frank Isola of the New York Daily News broke down why the deal would make sense for Bryant:

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A trade with the Knicks makes sense on a few levels. It’s a big market, Anthony is a close friend and Fisher is a trusted former teammate. And if you think Jackson’s ego is big now, imagine if he pulls this one off. Even if the Knicks acquire Bryant, they would still be in a position to make a run at Kevin Durant, who becomes a free agent in July of 2016.

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Isola also spoke to Bleacher Report's Stephen Nelson about how the move would work for both teams:

For those Lakers fans scared that this will now come true, feel confident in the fact Bryant has no interest in leaving. He told Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports:

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I hear the chatter of Kobe should ask out and he should go and play for a contender in this latter stage of his career. But that's not what I do. I'm extremely loyal to the Lakers.

I believe in fighting through the tough times as well as enjoying the good times. It's my responsibility to get us to be the best that we can be. It's important that we approach that on a day-to-day basis.

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Considering he has a full no-trade clause, any deal would have to go through him, and he appears ready to stay with the struggling franchise.

This is a good thing because the Lakers need Bryant going forward. He is a star attraction capable of bringing in money in both ticket sales and merchandise, but his contributions still help the team despite what some think.

Obviously, many will question the guard's willingness to fire up a ton of shots during the game. He had 37 attempts in the recent loss to the Phoenix Suns, helping add to stats like this:

But what other player would you rather see take more shots? Carlos Boozer is the only real veteran option, and he is not the player he once was. Otherwise, Jeremy Lin leads a large group of players who make up a below-average roster.

Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com notes why Bryant is so important to this squad:

While Bryant has earned a "selfish" reputation throughout his career, it is important to note he has averaged at least four assists per game in each of the last 15 seasons, a relatively high mark for a shooting guard.

This year, he simply does not have better options when he has the ball than to shoot.

Mike Trudell of Lakers.com quoted the star player after the loss to the Suns:

Besides, the real problem with this year's team is not even on the offensive end of the court. The defense is allowing a league-high 116.8 points per game, making it near impossible to win games regardless of who is taking shots.

Bryant is doing what it takes to win. If he falls short, he is just going to try harder next time. Although this might not lead to much success this season, he is the player who will keep the team in games, and he is the one who will help even more in the future.

While the Lakers look to rebuild for the future, having a veteran with this type of work ethic could be huge for young players. The rookies can look at a player who does not stop trying as hard as he can and learn from his example.

First-round pick Julius Randle, who broke his leg in the first game and will miss the rest of the season, explained how Bryant helped him overcome the initial shock of the injury, via Baxter Holmes of ESPN.com:

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The night that I broke it, he had texted me, and we were talking, and he was one of the main people that helped me really get out of my pity party, saying, 'It has happened to players before, you're not the first and you're going to have a great comeback. But your rehabilitation and your mindset starts now.'

And it did. I've struggled [some] days. But at the end of the day, I'll be fine.

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Although Randle will not make any contributions until next season, the leadership of Bryant will help ensure the talented youngster will be a star in the future.

Whoever Los Angeles drafts next season or brings onto the team between now and then will learn from one man and be better as a result.

Getting rid of a player of this ability would be a huge mistake for the Lakers, regardless of the salary-cap implications. Bryant should end his career with the organization and help bring the team back to prominence.

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