Lakers Trade Rumors: Speculation over Kobe Bryant Demanding a Trade from LA

It's one thing to try and figure out what exactly Jim Buss is attempting to accomplish with the current Los Angeles Lakers roster.

It's another thing altogether for him to anger Kobe Bryant.

If he keeps it up, things could get ugly and according to Stephen A. Smith, don't be surprised if things escalate to the point where Bryant demands a trade out of Los Angeles.

Bryant has been angry before and it hasn't been pretty.

He demanded a trade back in 2007 and instead, the Lakers got him Pau Gasol and a pair of championships, but don't expect that this time around.

Bryant is more than irate, according to Smith, and warns that things won't be pleasant between the Lakers and their star.

You can see why Bryant is angry.

It's not just the fact that Chris Paul, a guy he expected to be in a Lakers uniform, is now a Los Angeles Clipper. It's not even the fact that the Lakers practically gave away Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks—the same Mavericks team that knocked the Lakers out of last seasons playoffs en route to winning the NBA championship.

What makes Bryant upset the most is the fact that the Lakers have regressed while teams around them have improved.

For Lakers fans, it's 2007 all over again.

Bryant hasn't gone as far as to call out management yet, but judging by some of his quotes you can tell it's not far off.

He did say in 2008 that he was done playing GM after the Lakers got him Gasol, but apparently he wants back in that role.

Who knows what will happen with the situation, but Bryant's contract that still owes him over $59 million won't be attractive to other teams.

You can understand Bryant not being happy, but it's not all that bad for him. He still has two talented big men and a decent roster around him. Sometimes taking a step back and looking in the mirror makes a difference. Other situations around the league are much worse than the one Bryant is currently in with the Lakers.

Smith isn't the only one reporting that Bryant will demand a trade.

ESPN's Ric Bucher also expects Bryant to do so and adds that a league GM said to expect him to do so within a month.