<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">With the sports world seemingly snapping up every word about Kobe Bryant, there were only six words mentioned about him Tuesday by Mitch Kupchak. "I think enough has been said," the Lakers' general manager said in his annual pre-draft meeting with beat reporters. Kupchak declined to say anything further about the Lakers' unhappy star, choosing instead to talk about trade possibilities, next week's draft, the upcoming free-agency period and the future of Coach Phil Jackson. Privately, Lakers officials are hoping they can ride out Bryant's storm because the team's top priority is keeping him. There are no signs, even behind the scenes, that the Lakers plan on trading him despite his public demand three weeks ago to be shipped out. The Lakers are hoping that the less that is said about him publicly, the better chance he would return with a calm head for training camp in October. Meanwhile, Kupchak has continued to work the phones even though the Lakers and Indiana Pacers have broken off trade talks for six-time All-Star Jermaine O'Neal. During his 45-minute meeting with reporters, his office phone and cellphone rang numerous times. "Clearly, the events of the last seven weeks have led to an illusion that the Lakers may be more desperate to make a move, so there have been an awful lot of phone calls and a lot of dialogue, which sometimes is good. People have a reason to call," he said. "There's been a lot more talk this year than there has been in years past." At the same time, Kupchak could not guarantee the team would make a significant trade. "I can't say that," he said. "You cannot say that until a deal is made. They change on a hairpin."</div> Source: LA Times
<div class="quote_poster">Bacon Smeller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I hope that means that the Lakers are going to get KG or JO.</div> There is no way KG would come to LA if kobe won't be there, he has the same situation in Wolves organization. O'neal won't come to the LA LA land either because Pacers want Bynum, but LA won't trade him for O'neal. As simple as that.
<div class="quote_poster">Bacon Smeller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Why can we all just come down to an agreement!!! This is just getting me tired!</div> where are we going first of? I'm hopping I can go up....not down
<div class="quote_poster">Bacon Smeller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well work on getting JO to the Lakers.</div> No way.
<div class="quote_poster">LBJ2006MVP Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">No way.</div> If Bynum is the stumbling block, the lakers are nuts. Not only do you get JO, but you keep Kobe and make him happy.
<div class="quote_poster">norespect Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If Bynum is the stumbling block, the lakers are nuts. Not only do you get JO, but you keep Kobe and make him happy.</div> Thats true then Kobe can be quiet and Happy
<div class="quote_poster">norespect Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If Bynum is the stumbling block, the lakers are nuts. Not only do you get JO, but you keep Kobe and make him happy.</div> Dude Kobe already said in every possible way it can be said that he doesn't want to play in Lakers uniform come next season. He wants to be a Bull ...just take the crappy packeg they're making and let him go. There will be no reason trading Bynum for O'neal without Kobe there.
<div class="quote_poster">LBJ2006MVP Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Dude Kobe already said in every possible way it can be said that he doesn't want to play in Lakers uniform come next season. He wants to be a Bull ...just take the crappy packeg they're making and let him go. There will be no reason trading Bynum for O'neal without Kobe there.</div> That means that your precious Knicks won't get Kobe!!
It's not Bynum holding up the Jermaine deal, it's Indy wanting Bynum, Odom, and the 19. If they want us to take Tinsley or Murphy's ugly deals, then it's Bynum or Odom.
<div class="quote_poster">norespect Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If Bynum is the stumbling block, the lakers are nuts. Not only do you get JO, but you keep Kobe and make him happy.</div> He'll be happy for 1 year and then realize that they won't be able to compete with just him and JO and then the Lakers really wouldn't be able to make any moves, because they won't have any trade bait what so ever. Just my opinion.
The Lakers are trying! They are trying to build a team that won't sacrifice their future and will compete with Kobe. They just don't have any tools to do it. They aren't trying to screw Kobe. They know what Kobe means to their fan base and they know their fan base expects winning. They aren't trying to find the best ways to screw Kobe.
If they want to build for the future, the obvious idea is to trade Kobe. He'll get you young talent. Inquire into Boston and see if they would want to trade Leon Powe, Tony Allen, and Theo Ratliff for Lamar Odom. You get Theo's expiring contract along with a good role player and a player that can become a good role player. That's two major moves that build for the future. Those moves allow you to make a big run at Gilbert Arenas next year or LeBron the year after. You've got to believe L.A. would be Gilbert's first option, it's his home.
The Lakers aren't going to trade Kobe, it's become clear. No matter how much he complains, they are going to keep him.
<div class="quote_poster">LBJ2006MVP Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">There is no way KG would come to LA if kobe won't be there, he has the same situation in Wolves organization. O'neal won't come to the LA LA land either because Pacers want Bynum, but LA won't trade him for O'neal. As simple as that.</div> I think they will trade for Bynum but they dont want to include both Bynum and ODOM in the package. I think the Lakers wanted to give up Bynum and Kwame and keep Odom.
<div class="quote_poster">LBJ2006MVP Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Dude Kobe already said in every possible way it can be said that he doesn't want to play in Lakers uniform come next season. He wants to be a Bull ...just take the crappy packeg they're making and let him go. There will be no reason trading Bynum for O'neal without Kobe there.</div> Just wait until the Draft day and see if Kobe leaves or not
