Would he rock the 4-5 too?(Photo. Jonathan Mannion)
Buried on page 2 of Sam Smith’s article in the online version of his Chicago Tribune column today is this bit about the “dark horse” in the Kobe sweepstakes:
Agent Zero going Hollywood?
One general manager on the periphery of the Bryant talks says he believes the “dark horse” to make a deal with the Lakers is the Washington Wizards. The consensus is the Wizards have hit a plateau, but have the star power in Gilbert Arenas to make a deal.Arenas is talking about opting out of his contract after this season. He’s from Los Angeles and has become a star, one of the league’s highest-scoring players and an engaging personality who would embrace the Hollywood scene. He would meet the Lakers’ demands for an All-Star player if they trade Bryant.
“Watch out for them,” the general manager said, meaning the Wizards.
The Lakers probably would want a power forward, which the Wizards don’t have. The biggest obstacle, though, may be Bryant’s no-trade clause, along with the fact he hasn’t indicated any interest in Washington. Still, with Bryant, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, the Wizards would have a three-star set that could match up in the East.
Interesting, but I’m not really sure why Washington would make that deal. Yes, they could land the best player in the world, but they have a great thing going there with Gil & Co. They all seem to genuinely like each other and if Gilbert hadn’t gotten hurt at the end of last season, they could have made some serious noise in the playoffs.
If you’re the Wizards, do you make that deal? Let us know in the comments section…
October 29th, 2007 at 10:40 am
Austin Burton says:
I think Washington would make that deal. Gilbert can opt out after this year, while Kobe has more time left on his deal. Caron and Kobe have shown they can play well together, and Jamison can fit in with anyone so long as he’s getting his shots. I like the deal for both sides.
October 29th, 2007 at 10:44 am
jay says:
i dont see kobe going to washington..he is boys with caron and the lakers should have never traded butler in the first place and purp and gold would not be in the mess they are in now if butler was still in laker gold! nuff said. as i said before i will say again..unless kobe goes to dallas..i do not see him going anywhere!!! jeanie wont let it happen..period!
October 29th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Andy Buckets says:
If I am Washington I am not ready to pull the trigger on this one. Kobe is arguably the greatest player currently in the universe…but team chemistry has been an issue for him. Kobe v. Shaq, the beef he had with Karl Malone and the ongoing “Kobe doesn’t make anyone better” stigma.
If Kobe goes to the Wizards, true he’d be in the East but how would he mesh with Caron and Antwan?
I think L.A. could be better with Gil but I am not sure if D.C. will flourish with KB24.
October 29th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Kobeef says:
Agent 0 has star power and is 4 years younger than Kobe which is something to think about.
After this summer, it seems Bynum is the only untradeable on the Lakers roster - agent 0 fits better with a youth movement.
I could see washington taking a look at this because there are a bit nervous about Gil’s free agency. Not sure it gets Kobe a championship though - remember he has to approve the trade.
Interesting
October 29th, 2007 at 11:53 am
Gee says:
To me it’s to many variables involved. I mean you have to look at the coaching situation. Would K.B. actually get along with the coach and vice-versa? Everyone knows Kobe has a very peculiar personality. Then on top of that would the players actually mesh (which often depends on if a team is consistently winning). As far as Gil. is concerned would he fit in the triangle offense? Is the team really going to be any better with Gil?
I think it’s just to many ifs involved where the percentages may not necessarily equal out. I know all trades are if situations really but if I am the Wizards I would just ride with what I have and try to add to that (like a good center).
If I am the Lakers, trade him to a team where you could get some draft picks and at least 3 decent players. I mean with him being the best in the NBA at his position, a team should at least have to trade 3 players minimum for him or one of a higher value than Gil like TD or KG.
Nuff said.
October 29th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Myrie in NY says:
Wiz should make this trade all day. I am not the biggest Kobe fan or supporter; but if you have a chance to get the best player in the game, you make that deal happen.
Forget this nonesense Kobe doesn’t make his teammates better. Foolishness. He makes your TEAM better. Afterall, only about 7 players in the league actually make their teammates better. I challenge any of you to name 10 players (without reaching) who make their mates better. Enough on that.
As for LA….Phil wants out and prolly doesn’t care who LA gets in return for Kobe. But Arenas is decent. Unless your getting Duncan, LeBron or Wade—-your not going to get full value for Kobe, so just take what you can get.
Side note:….LA should inquire about Vince Carter for Kobe. Carter just signed an extension with NJ, but Carter is younger. Similar skills and marketability in LA. Plus, Kobe would get to play with Jason Kidd with Beyonce sitting courtside.
October 29th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
djKianoosh says:
That’s an interesting suggestion about the Nets. They’ll be in Brooklyn soon and it would be good for Kobe to let Kidd handle the rock, but would the salaries match up? And LA probably doesn’t want a soft VC anyway, unless he bring Kidd or Jefferson along with him. nah, i dont see that.
I dont see LA wanting Gil either, even though he’s fast becoming one of my favorites. Like Gee says, he just doesn’t seem to fit a triangle, but heck, these are pros, they’ll make it work. Kobe would have the green light in the princeton style offense in DC, and so maybe it’s not that big a stretch for Kobe to OK this deal. The fact that the ‘zards, before gil got hurt, were on their way to win the East means they actually should go after kobe, but it depends on how much they have to give up. the wiz would probably have to gut their team to get kobe. that’s why Dallas and Chicago are the frontrunners, cause their the only teams that would be left with an actual squad after that bomb of a trade.
October 29th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
djKianoosh says:
“they’re” not “their”.. damn, i hate making that mistake… LOL
October 29th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Myrie in NY says:
Can any of you really picture Kobe in a Mavs or Bulls jersey? Ugh.
It’s like when CWebb went to Philly or Patrick Ewing in a Sonics uniform; it just didn’t look right.
October 29th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Gee says:
LOL I can’t picture Kobe in another jersey but I am sure it would grow on us if it was to go down. Like I had a hard time with T-Mac in a Rockets Uni and now I am used to it and hope it stays on dude forever lol.
Although Kobe to the Bulls would be sick, but media would be comparing dude to MJ even more than now.
I could feel that though. Kobe to the Wiz just don’t feel right! LOL
October 29th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
K8 says:
No way Kobe would agree to play in Washington. The Wizards aren’t relevant enough for him to want to go there.
October 29th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Myrie in NY says:
Wiz are soft of defense. Kobe throws elbows on offense. That alone makes it a good fit. lol.
October 29th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Joseph says:
Think about it. The only thing to get the Buss’s to trade their star away for 75 cents to the dollar is if they can still put butts in the seat. Gil puts butts in the seats…
This is more of a matter on if Kobe want to follow MJ to the Wiz
October 29th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
alex says:
eventually, it will be up to Phil Jackson if the Lakers would look to move Bryant. Dr Buss doesn’t really know what to do and his son is even more clueless. Both Kobe and the Buss family trust and listen to whatever PJ would recommend. The bulls have all the right pieces to deal for KB but I don’t think he’d get along with a tough / stubborn coach like Scott Skiles. If I were Chicago, I’d make an offer of (Heinrich, Gordon, Tyrus Thomas or Nocioni) or (Duhon, Deng, Thomas or Nocioni)
October 29th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Bust Jlaze says:
Kobe and Shaq together in the All-Star game would be interesting. At least for the first few plays, and then the announcers and constant Craig Sager interruptions would kill all the excitement.
October 29th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Bone says:
Here is what people need to realize about what the Lakers want from the Bulls: Gord, Deng, Tyrus Thomas, and Noah cannot work as of right now. Those four combined do not come within the acceptable range of Kobe’s salary plus Noah cannot be traded yet since he was just drafted and signed his rooke contract. I beleive he has to wait until December 15 to be traded, same with Nocioni and Joe Smith. The ONLY way the Bulls can get Kobe is to make Ben Wallace part of the package due to his salary, unless they want to trade Hinrich.
Second, whoever said Vince Carter is younger than Kobe needs to learn math. Carter was born in 1977, Kobe in 1978.
Lastly, Washington would be a good fit for Kobe if traded for Arenas. Antonio Daniles can run the point, Kobe at the 2, Butler at the 3, Jamison at the 4, Haywood at the five. Then you could bring Stevenson, Blatche, Nick Young off the bench. That is not any worse of as team than the Cavs last year. I say do it, as good as Arenas is, he is no Isaiah Thomas, the only midget to ever lead a team to a title. They have peaked with that nucleus, plus when he wants to be, Kobe can be an all-league defender, something the Wiz desparately need.
October 29th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
DOC says:
C webb aint look funny in another jersey. He played for like 3 teams his leg looked funny though.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:01 am
mr. fresh says:
I would definately make that trade. Gil has a nice game and can score a lot of pts, but as the pg I think he jacks up waaayyy too many shots a game. When your pg thinks offense that messes up the flow of the whole team, and anyway kobe is a better player, he’s a monster with a crazy will to win. Not saying gil doesn’t have that instinct but gil aint kobe, as far as overall play, meanin defense, rebounding, etc black mamba is def. The guy to go with. -aight then…holla then