NBA Trade Rumors: Kobe Bryant Headed To Washington?
Longtime NBA reporter Sam Smith speculated about the future of Kobe Bryant in his latest column for NBA.com. Smith brings up potential trade destinations for Bryant as the Lakers are not very good, in rebuilding mode and don’t have much use for Bryant as he’ll likely be retired from basketball after his contract expires in 2016.
Smith brings up teams that Bryant was rumored to go to when he was a free agent in the mid 2000’s, those teams being the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls, but then quickly dismisses both of those teams as possible landing spots for Bryant if the Lakers are looking to trade him.
Next, Smith names one of the more likely teams that Bryant could end up on if he’s traded at some point this season, that being the Washington Wizards. He suggests that the Wizards should look into trading young shooting guard Bradley Beal, Nene and another player to Los Angeles in exchange for Kobe.
“It’s about young stars with the Lakers, which is why they are where they are. Magic and Worthy, Shaq and Kobe. But as much as Lakers’ fans believe it’s about Kobe, Lakers’ management would have to jump at a chance for a young star to accelerate their rebuilding. Which is why Kobe to the Wizards may be the one.”
“The Wizards have a young, potential star shooting guard in Bradley Beal. You can build with a player like him. Then you give the Lakers Nene and another player since the Wizards have plenty of guys they’re not much using to include in trade. For the Wizards, it’s the chance to take a shot, which they really don’t have now.”
“With the addition of Paul Pierce, the Wizards are about now. Adding someone like Kobe with Pierce, John Wall and Marcin Gortat gives them a shot at the top of the weak East. And how sweet would it be for Kobe to go where Michael Jordan couldn’t win and get somewhere? Kobe’s not getting that sixth title. Maybe besting Jordan that way would appeal to him.”
With the Lakers hopeful future all-star Julius Randle breaking his leg in his NBA debut, Kobe doesn’t have much help on the Lakers roster, and it’s hard to imagine the ultra-competitive Kobe Bryant will be fine with being on one of the worst teams in the entire league when he’s trying to chase a 6th championship, which would tie him with Michael Jordan.
It’s very likely that Kobe, much like he did before the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol in 2008, will demand a trade if the Lakers continue their losing ways. Where will he end up? Well, that’s up to whoever thinks that taking on Bryant’s massive contract is worth it to acquire an aging, near-retired and injury-prone player.
[Image via Rob Carr/Getty Images]
