3 Decisions Lakers Should Have Consulted Kobe Bryant on Before Making

Since Phil Jackson retired last spring, there have been a few personnel moves made by the Los Angeles Lakers’ front office that have raised a few eyebrows.

And surprisingly enough, Kobe Bryant wasn’t “in the loop” on any of them. And while a team should never have to consult with a player before making a decision, given Kobe’s contributions to the team’s past present and future, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to consult him before making any big moves.

After all, if Kobe isn’t happy, ain't no one happy.

Here are a couple of decisions the team should have consulted Kobe on before making.

3. The Eventually Vetoed Chris Paul Trade

While it was never confirmed that Kobe Bryant didn’t know about Chris Paul coming to the Los Angeles Lakers, it’s certainly easy to assume it was a possibility, given the fact he was out of the loop on both the hiring of Mike Brown as coach and Lamar Odom being traded to the Dallas Mavericks.

And even if Kobe didn’t know about the eventually-vetoed Paul trade, it doesn’t mean he was opposed to it. I am sure losing both Odom and Pau Gasol would have been hard to swallow, but adding CP3 to the roster wouldn’t have been a bad consolation.

After all, Kobe did express his views on the blocked trade last week. And let’s just say there weren’t necessarily in favor of the league's owners.

2. Lamar Odom Being Traded

Earlier in the month, the Los Angeles Lakers were ready to trade Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol in a three-team deal that would have brought All-Star point guard Chris Paul to the Lakers.

But, we all know that story ended. David Stern vetoed the trade, which forced Odom and Gasol to come to training camp the next day, knowing the team was ready to deal them just hours before.

Gasol handled the situation a little better and professionally than Odom.

Odom, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, felt so slighted over the team wanting to trade him to New Orleans for Paul, demanded the Lakers trade him.

The team granted his request immediately, trading him to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for the Mavs' 2012 first round draft pick. The trade was somewhat of a head scratcher, considering the Lakers traded Odom to the team that eliminated them from the playoffs last season, in addition to getting so little in return.

Last week, Kobe expressed his displeasure over the decision to trade Odom.

1. The Hiring of Mike Brown as Head Coach

After the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from last spring’s playoffs by the Dallas Mavericks, Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson announced his retirement.

Shortly after Jackson retired, the organization hired former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown as Jackson’s replacement. The hire was, and still is for that matter, a questionable one, especially since it was assumed longtime assistant Brian Shaw was going to be Jackson’s successor, given his experience with Jackson’s triangle offense and his relationship with Kobe.

But the signing of Brown signaled the organization’s eagerness to completely turn the page on the Phil Jackson era.

It was reported Kobe was not consulted about the hiring of Brown, and while Kobe hasn’t publicly criticized the team’s choice of new coach, he hasn’t gushed over it either.

Few fans believe Mike Brown has what it takes to get the job done following in Phil Jackson’s footsteps, in addition to wondering what kind, if any, relationship he will have with Kobe.