Some things, you just can’t change.
Kobe Bryant has matured a lot as a player this year. But his off-court demeanor still rubs people the wrong way, as Bryant’s employers can attest to. The Los Angeles Lakers themselves are the latest subject of Bryant’s displeasure; over the past few days, he has asked to be traded, publicly demanded to be traded, and insisted that he isn’t going anywhere, not necessarily in that order.
It appears to boil down to an either/or proposition for the Lakers front office: either Jerry West returns to L.A. and replaces Mitch Kupchak as general manager, or Bryant leaves town. Which leads to the big question of where Bryant will be playing next year. Inquiring minds want to know; the media is abuzz with rumors, and the betting market is attracted to the Bryant trade prop like a moth to a flame.
Every team (even the Lakers) would love to have a player of Kobe’s caliber. But not every team can have him. Bryant has a no-trade clause in his contract, which in this case is more like a veto should Los Angeles try to deal him to a team he doesn’t like. Also, the Lakers have to get a package in return that makes sense for them, and the dollar amounts have to line up for salary cap purposes.
With that in mind, here’s a look at the odds list for Kobe’s possible destinations. Check the restrictions your book applies to this prop; it will likely have some form of expiration date where all monies will be returned if Bryant hasn’t been dealt by then. The field’s odds are pegged at 7-1.
Chicago Bulls (3-1): The most likely terminus for the Kobe Express. The Bulls would instantly become an elite team, while the Lakers would get a package including Luol Deng and/or Ben Gordon, perhaps with a first-round pick as well.
Phoenix Suns (7-2): Phoenix was on the radar when Kobe was a free agent in 2004; Bryant has an established rapport with coach Mike D’Antoni and would probably be even more happy to play for him now that the Steve Nash experiment has worked. The Suns have already been toying with the idea of trading Shawn Marion or even Amare Stoudemire because of impending salary-cap doom. One of them would have to go to the Lakers, or they wouldn’t entertain the possibility of trading Kobe to their Pacific Division rivals.
Dallas Mavericks (4-1): This would have to be Bryant-for-Dirk Nowitzki, so don’t expect anything to happen here.
New York Knicks (11-2): The Big Apple is a marquee destination for just about any player. But they’re not about to win a title with that assortment of players, Kobe or no Kobe.
Minnesota Timberwolves (6-1): Wishful thinking for Wolves fans. These fairly short odds might have something to do with the now-annual Kevin Garnett offseason drama. Getting traded for Bryant wouldn’t help either player win a title.
Los Angeles Clippers (7-1): There is simply no way the Lakers would trade Kobe to a team in exactly the same marketplace.
Portland Trail Blazers (9-1): Definitely a team on the rise, but a few years from being a contender.
Golden State Warriors (10-1): Too close to Los Angeles, and the Warriors would have to cough up Baron Davis in return. They’d do it in a heartbeat; L.A. would not.
New Jersey Nets (12-1): Vince Carter is the obvious target here, but it was Jason Kidd who the Lakers thought long and hard about getting in purple in gold at the trade deadline.
Utah Jazz (12-1): Kobe Bryant in Salt Lake City? What a P.R. nightmare that would be for the Jazz.
Houston Rockets (15-1): A trade for Tracy McGrady would actually be quite interesting for both teams. But it would benefit Houston significantly more.
Denver Nuggets (18-1): Kobe Bryant in Denver? Well, it has been a few years now since that court case. But, no.
Boston Celtics (20-1): Paul Pierce isn’t going anywhere.
Miami Heat (25-1): The Heat already have Dwyane Wade.
TALK BACK: Where should Kobe play?