How Many Rings Would Kobe Bryant Have if Kevin Garnett Joined L.A. Lakers?

When the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies in early 2008, it was one of the most lopsided deals in NBA history, and the result was two NBA championships for the franchise in 2009 and 2010.

The Lakers knew they had to make a big upgrade to please Bryant and make him believe the team would be serious contenders. His trade demands the summer before that season worried Lakers fans and created a sense of urgency in the front office.

Earlier today on the Dan Patrick Show, Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett said he almost joined the Lakers in 2007 but did not want to be involved in the tension surrounding the team at that point.

Via the LA Times:            

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"I was pretty close [to going to L.A.] to be honest," Garnett said. "What disturbed me about the whole Laker situation was Kobe [Bryant] and Phil [Jackson] at the time. They was pretty bad. That situation was something I didn't want to get into. It was my choice. There was a lot going on and I didn't want to be a part of it."

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If Garnett had joined the Lakers, how many championships would he and Bryant have won?

For starters, they would have easily won the 2008 NBA Finals that Garnett and the Celtics instead dominated.

They also would have likely beaten the Orlando Magic like they did in the 2009 finals, and although without Garnett the Celtics probably wouldn't have met the Lakers in the 2010 finals, L.A. still would have beaten that year's Eastern Conference runner-up in Orlando.

Garnett's amazing defense, leadership and energy would have fueled the Lakers to at least three straight titles and would have made them one of the better teams in recent memory.

Gasol isn't half the defensive player Garnett is, and both have similar offensive games in that they each can shoot well from the outside.

With Garnett, Kobe would have six championship rings, tying him with Michael Jordan and sparking a new wave in the never ending Kobe vs. MJ debate.

But now, Kobe does not have much of a shot at another title with Gasol as his No. 2. Gasol disappeared in the 2011 playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks, who swept the Lakers in the Western Conference Semifinals en route to the NBA championship.

The Lakers are now old and lack the youth and energy needed to compete with athletic and younger contenders such as the Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat.

Garnett likely would not have changed that fact now, as he is actually older than Gasol, but Kobe would have at least one more ring than he does today if KG had joined the Lakers in 2007.

Nicholas Goss is an Oklahoma City Thunder, and NBA featured columnist at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter for the latest sports news. Follow @NicholasGoss35