Possible Kobe Bryant Trade Scenarios
With all of the fuss over where Kobe Bryant might get traded, I thought I'd try to be a GM myself using ESPN's Trade Machine and come up with possible trade scenarios. While all of these ideas are certainly not going to pan out, it at least provides a couple options that are viable. Some of these are actually pretty crappy trades (for the Lakers), but the money works out so you never know...
Kobe Bryant Trade Scenario 1
Analysis: The Lakers get a superstar in return and a player likely to blossom in La-La-Land. Sure, Etan Thomas is probably out for the season (if not his career), but getting Arenas helps keep the Lakers in at least the same status they are now - a 7th or 8th playoff seed. Gilbert would land back home in LA, so you know he'd go for the trade. Kobe would be teamed up w/ Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, which is certainly an upgrade from Lamar Odom and Luke Walton.
Kobe Bryant Trade Scenario 2
Analysis: In all likelihood, Kobe never approves this deal. On paper, the Lakers get two players capable of scoring in double figures and playing solid (when healthy). Of course, the health concerns on both players would be an issue for the Lakers, as well as the fact they're not getting a superstar in return for Bryant. The trade would leave New Orleans with Tyson Chandler, Chris Paul and David West - again, this would be a much better team than the current Lakers. Kobe is unlikely to move to New Orleans, so this is most certainly just a fantasy.
Kobe Bryant Trade Scenario 3
Analysis: The Lakers get two starters and Kobe goes to play w/ Pau Gasol and Rudy Gay. Not quite a perfect match for Kobe or the Grizzlies, but the money works. The Lakers would get two viable starters and a good decent backup PF (like they don't have enough of those already).
Kobe Bryant Trade Scenario 4
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Indiana Pacers trade (no, not O'Neal) Mike Dunleavy ($8.2 yrs / 4 yrs), Marquis Daniels ($6.4 million / 2 yrs) and David Harrison ($1.7 million / 1 yr) to the LA Lakers for Kobe ($19.5 million / 3 yrs).
Analysis: This would leave the Pacers with a solid frontcourt still (Jermaine O'Neal, Jeff Foster, Ike Diogu and Troy Murphy) as well as pretty good backcourt (Tinsley, Granger and Kobe) and a viable Eastern Conference title contender. It's doubtful that the Lakers would accept Daniels, whose troubled past would be a concern, or even Dunleavy, whose huge contract is extremely overvalued. It's fun to play, but this ain't happenin'.
Kobe Bryant Trade Scenario 5
Analysis: Wow... so this one actually could be something that Bryant might accept - pairing up w/ Yao Ming and a deep backcourt. Houston really doesn't lose anything in the deal and probably improves overall. McGrady's health is a concern, but he's a superstar that is almost a 1-for-1 for Bryant (ok, maybe not). If McGrady plays more than 80% of the season's games, is he not a better team player and contributor than Kobe? I still don't see this happening, but the Rockets have a new coach so anything could happen.
Kobe Bryant Trade Scenario 6
Analysis: Haha... no way this one happens, but can you imagine Lebron James and Kobe Bryant on the same team? Financially it could happen, but realistically no... The Lakers would not take on a frequently injured player (Hughes) and a guy who can't even get in a Finals game (Jones). We can dream, but this isn't reality.