Kobe Bryant Leaving Los Angeles Lakers? Solutions to the Unthinkable

The Los Angeles Lakers seem to be spiraling towards chaos as they inch closer to opening day.

While headlines are currently buzzing around the team, none seems bigger than the speculation by ESPN’s Ric Bucher and Stephen A. Smith that the Lakers’ star Kobe Bryant will demand a trade by the end of this season (h/t Larry Brown Sports).

The two NBA reporters are claiming that the Lakers front office seems to be taking a step back from championship contention, troubling Kobe, who wants to add a few more rings to his collection in the last few years of his stellar career.

While it may seem farfetched and absurd to even think of Kobe being on another team, for the sake of this article, let’s assume that Kobe does ask for a trade, and the Lakers, unlike 2007, grant his trade. Kobe would have to go to a team that can absorb his gigantic salary and be able to give the Lakers a king’s ransom for one of the best players in the game.

Lastly, the team would have to be a contender for Kobe’s last few years in order for him to waive his no trade clause. Here are a few hypothetical possibilities, in order from least likely to most likely, if Kobe ever did ask for a trade.

5) Lakers and Grizzlies

Lakers receive: Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, Mike Conley, Brian Skinner, Darrell Arthur

Grizzlies receive: Kobe Bryant, Luke Walton, Steve Blake

The Grizzlies are a young team that is getting better every year, even beating the No. 1-seeded Spurs in the playoffs last season.

The previous successes of this team may cause Kobe to waive his no-trade clause to join a team in need of a veteran leader to put this team in contention for a championship.

It is an obvious plus for the Grizzlies to receive one of the best players in the game to combine with young center Marc Gasol and experienced scorer Zach Randolph.

The Lakers would do this trade because they receive a good athletic talent in Rudy Gay, a nice young scorer in O.J. Mayo and an upgrade at point guard with Mike Conley.

The Lakers also get rid of cap space with Walton’s and Blake’s contract disappearing, while also receiving three expiring contracts in Mayo, Skinner and Arthur.

The Lakers could then pursue other superstars in trade and free agency with movable pieces in Gay, Mayo and Conley.

For the Lakers, this is one of the best deals talent-wise that they could get, but many seriously doubt that Kobe would accept going to Memphis and that the Lakers would trade to a Western rival.

4) Lakers and Mavericks

Lakers Receive: Vince Carter, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, two first-round picks

Mavericks Receives: Kobe Bryant, Luke Walton, Metta World Peace, Steve Blake

The Mavericks are a big team with a big-time owner in Mark Cuban, who will do anything in their power to win. 

He would be able to go to a team that has proven it can win a championship, and he can play with another superstar in Dirk Nowitzki. For the Lakers, this is more of a salary dump where they can then become more competitive in the great free agent class of 2012.

With the loss of the horrid contracts that Walton, Peace, and Blake hold, the Lakers would save over $45 million in salaries and even more in luxury tax.

With the arrival of Kidd, Carter, and Terry, the Lakers would also remain semi-competitive while gaining three expiring contracts that will help create cap space of over 45 million.

This cap space could then be used to sign a big-time free agent like Deron William to play with Dwight Howard (who the Lakers might trade Pau Gasol for). The two first round picks would be later picks, but in a deep 2012 draft, those are still precious and can be used to sweeten the deal.

While this deal doesn’t bring in much talent back, it allows the Lakers to rid themselves of their bad contracts, gain tons of cap space, and enable themselves to sign superstars next year. However, the like the Grizzlies trade, the Lakers may be hesitant to send such a great player to a competitive rival.

3) Lakers and Bulls

Lakers Receive: Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, Ronnie Brewer, John Lucas

Bulls Receive: Kobe Bryant, Steve Blake

Back in 2007, when Kobe demanded his first trade, the Bulls came out as the most aggressive suitor for the superstar. It would seem that it would be the same case this year despite the fact that the Bulls are very much contenders, a contrast to the situation in 2007.

The Bulls would give up their energetic center in Joakim Noah, and two sturdy defenders in Brewer and Deng, but Chicago would still be automatically vaulted to status of favorites in the East with a threesome of Boozer, Rose, and Bryant not to be messed with.

The Lakers receive some nice talent to compensate for losing their superstar, and like all other trades this would allow them to stay competitive and trade or sign another superstar; Kobe, again, would be wiling to accept a trade to this team.

Overall, this is a win for Kobe and the Bulls, but the Lakers may think twice before they decide to trade Bryant without receiving a true superstar in return.

2) Lakers and Knicks

Lakers Receive: Amare Stoudemire, Landry Fields, Tony Douglas, Bill Walker, Renaldo Balkman, Jared Jeffries

Knicks Receive: Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher

Kobe loves to play in the spotlight and there is no bigger place to play than Madison Square Garden. The Lakers would receive a great array of players from the defensive standout Landry Fields, to the young Tony Douglas and Bill Walker.

The Lakers receive a nice amount of young talent from the Knicks and also get a superstar in Stoudemire who will put fans in the Staples Center. The Lakers also get a nice amount of movable assets and expiring contracts that could be used to acquire a big name.

This trade would allow Kobe to go to a destination he desires, while nicely setting up the Lakers with a superstar, young talent, and some nice cap space for the future.

The Knicks would be able to have their own big three in Kobe, Tyson Chandler, and Carmelo Anthony, which would vault the Knicks into one of the top teams in the East and an automatic fan favorite in the Big Apple.

1) Lakers and 76ers

Lakers Receive:Andre Igudoala, Evan Turner, Jrue Holiday, Marreese Speights,Thaddeus Young

76ers Receive: Kobe Bryant, Steve Blake, Derrick Caracter

This trade makes the most sense for both sides as Kobe gets to play in his hometown as he attempts to revive the franchise. The 76ers receive a living legend, who will be able to contribute to a concerted championship push even in the twilight of his career.

The Lakers, on the other hand, receive a nice combination of talent and movable pieces. The Lakers rid themselves of Blake’s contract but receive talent in the form of Iguodala (although a little overpriced), 2010 second pick Turner, and Holiday.

All these pieces could be great role players on a championship team, while also could be used as trade pieces for a superstar such as Williams or Howard.

This trade allows Kobe to return home, the Lakers to receive an injection of youth, and the 76ers to finally gain a main attraction and become a major force in the NBA again.

These are the five trades that would be most likely to occur with a combination of salary relief and return of talent.

While most Lakers fans remain confident that none of these moves will have to be made, an interesting scenario certainly looks set to unfold if LA cannot assemble a talented squad around their talisman.