<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class="bi">No Kobe Talk</div> <div> <span style="font-style: italic">Oct 26</span> - With public debate and media speculation escalating in the weeks since Lakers owner Jerry Buss said his team would listen to trade offers for Kobe Bryant, Rockets GM Daryl Morey said the Lakers have not heard from the Rockets and indicated they won't.</p> </p> "As a general rule, we don't discuss trade rumors," Morey said in a statement. "However, to prevent speculation, I can say we have had no discussions with the Lakers regarding Kobe Bryant. Our only focus regarding the Lakers is preparing for the season opener Oct. 30th." -- <font color="#000000">Houston Chronicle</font></p> </p> other team news ...</p> </p> [*]Besides the certain moves, to release Bob Sura and John Lucas III, the Rockets will have to make two other cuts, likely from among Justin Reed, Jackie Butler, Steve Novak and Kirk Snyder. </p> Reed doesn't seem to fit, especially with Carl Landry looking like a good project at the position. As for Butler or Novak, I don't buy the argument that Butler is insurance if Yao Ming and/or Dikembe Mutombo get hurt. You can find a big guy to fill in. And if you need more than that, Butler's not the solution. Not yet, anyway. -- <font color="#000000">Houston Chronicle</font></p></div> </div>
I never took the Kobe trade speculation seriously (the Lakers want young talent with star-potential -- we don't have that). However, this announcement by Morey doesn't really mean anything. Of course, the Rockets would never admit that they were in trade talks with the Lakers. Why? Because any such talks would have to involve McGrady, and the Rockets don't want T-Mac to feel like he was being shopped.</p> I think the likely situation was that the Rockets "expressed interest" in Kobe, in the same sense that virtually every team in the league expressed interest. But they never felt they had a legitimate shot at getting him, and they probably didn't seriously pursue the idea.</p>
^^^I agree......Tmac's back is too much of a question mark for any serious trade talks and I doubt the Rockets would even think of mentioning Yao......I can guarantee that if Tmac were healthy that Morey would (if he already hasn't) put the deal on the table.....and I'd be all for it.</p>
I don't know.....The Lakers are indeed looking for young talent, but I think they're more concerned with starpower as well. You have to remember that their in LA, the land of the celebrities. Who other than Tmac to replace Kobe. Maybe not as talented, but if you throw in a Luther Head, Kurk Snyder and Aaron Brooks maybe the Lakers would listen. All I'm saying is the Rockets might be closer to landing Kobe than one would assume..........</p>
The Lakers would be in the same position if you had switched Kobe with T-Mac, maybe Even worse with all his back problems and all the Laker's sprained ankles. Carl Landry would be a nice player for the Lakers though.</p>
I would not trade T-Mac for Kobe if he never had those back injuries causing him to lose a step in his game. After seeing last years playoffs, we would have won the championship.</p>
