I believe Kobe has a no trade clause and a trade kicker.......pretty near impossible to trade himI think that the real reason he wants this trade is because in his contract it has that if he gets traded he gets an extra three million dollars per year or so.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kobebryant_24OWNEDME @ May 27 2007, 05:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I believe Kobe has a no trade clause and a trade kicker.......pretty near impossible to trade himI think that the real reason he wants this trade is because in his contract it has that if he gets traded he gets an extra three million dollars per year or so.</div>I'm going to go ahead and assume that was a joke.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ChuckTheD @ May 27 2007, 06:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm going to go ahead and assume that was a joke.</div>and you'll go ahead and be wrong. 15 million isn't chump change and Kobe has never exactly been a selfless guy.Still, I'm a little bit suspicious that there's no actual quote of him saying he'd want to be traded. Not to mention that it's pretty damned near impossible to make a trade that would work with Kobe's 15% increased gargantuan contract, especially when he can veto any trade he doesn't like.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Truth @ May 27 2007, 09:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Breaking news on ESPNLakers and Sonics are close agreeing to a deal that involves Kobe</div>Riiight. :happy0144:
I stopped reading the thread after the first few posts, but here is my two cents:I really think Kobe should shut the hell up. I understand he's frustrated, but going out and publicly telling the media that he wants a roster overhaul, wants West back with full authority, or that he wants to be traded doesn't help the Lakers in any way. It does show the front office how serious he is about the ordeal, but it also hinders their ability to make a move because now EVERY GM in the league knows that the Lakers have to make a move or they'll lose Kobe, and thus the Lakers may end up giving up too much for a certain player, etc.Another thing, I know you guys are Laker fans first and what not, but I don't remember who said it, but if Kobe does demand to be traded (and like others have said this will all be denied publicly) I don't see how you can say he's not being loyal to the Lakers. The guy re-signed with them under the impression that the front office would help build a title contender... and so far Kobe has held up his end of the deal with phenomenal play since re-signing, but the front office has not held up their end of the deal. If anybody is being disloyal I would say it has to be the Lakers front office, not Kobe.Bottom line: I know Kobe is frustrated, but if this report is true, then he just took away any leverage or upper-hand the Lakers would have had in trade talks.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kobebryant_24OWNEDME @ May 27 2007, 06:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>and you'll go ahead and be wrong. 15 million isn't chump change and Kobe has never exactly been a selfless guy.</div>You'd have to be a dumbass to think that Kobe Bryant, a man with over a 100 million in the bank, would sacrifice his future, loyalty, reputation, and ultimately career, to become slightly richer.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ChuckTheD @ May 27 2007, 07:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You'd have to be a dumbass to think that Kobe Bryant, a man with over a 100 million in the bank, would sacrifice his future, loyalty, reputation, and ultimately career, to become slightly richer.</div>Exactly. 15 million IS chump change to Kobe Bryant, so to speak.
wow guys thanks for acknowleding my post. I guess you guys are to serouis to have a little fun. and no Kobe shouldnt Stfu. He's the main person on the team there for like any other leader he has a right to speak his mind and people will listen. I believe something will be done so these Kobe trade talks can just be put to rest now.
I think Kobe is scared. He saw what keeping quiet and trying to slowly rebuild did to Garnett, Iverson, and Pierce, and he doesn't want to end up in that situation. So he's doing exactly what they didn't do (except for Iverson in the end). He's voicing up in the media and making this into something the Lakers can't ignore. Only the end results will determine if that was a good move or not.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Kobe Bryant definitely would like Jerry West back with the Lakers, but the star guard denied an ESPN report that he'd welcome a trade from the team if the Lakers aren't willing to make that happen."I'm not demanding anything," Bryant told the Riverside Press-Enterprise on Sunday night. "I'm not making any threats. I didn't say that. Those words didn't come out of my mouth about a trade. I'm just making a suggestion. I think Jerry West is one of the greatest to ever do this thing. It's undeniably so."ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher reported Sunday that Bryant told him that he wants the Lakers to bring West back to the organization and give him full authority. If the Lakers don't want to do that, Bryant, according to Bucher, said he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause and welcome a trade from the only organization he has played for in the NBA.Bryant also told The Los Angeles Times that he was just making a suggestion and not a demand that West return to the Lakers."I would love for him to be a part of this," Bryant told the newspaper. "But it's not something where I demand he comes here. All I can do is offer my thoughts. I love being a Laker. I want to retire a Laker. I want to fix this thing, or at least help any way I can."Byrant told The Orange County Register that he wan't trying to slam current Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak or vice president Jim Buss, who is the son of owner Jerry Buss, by calling for West's return."It shouldn't say anything at all about them. It should speak to Jerry West's brilliance. I'm not trying to throw Mitch under the bus or Jim under the bus," Bryant told the newspaper.Bryant also told The Register that he doesn't want a trade from Los Angeles."My wife is from here, I love it here, and I've been a Laker fan my whole life," Bryant told the newspaper. "My focus is on doing what I can to get this franchise back to where it should be. What I want to do is win with the Los Angeles Lakers and get us back to prominence."West, who spent five seasons in Memphis, will leave his post as the Grizzlies' director of basketball operations July 1 at the end of his contract. West helped build the Lakers' dynasty in the '80s and engineered their rebirth in the '90s, overseeing seven NBA championship teams -- including back-to-back champions in 1987-1988 and three consecutive crowns from 2000-2002."I haven't thought about it at all until Kobe brought it up today. My main priority is to [Grizzlies owner] Mike Heisley and to finish up with the Memphis Grizzlies," West told ESPN's Jim Gray on Sunday night. "I am fiercely loyal to Mike, as I am to Mitch Kupchak. Having said that, I'm a lifelong Laker and we will see what happens."</div><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Kobe Bryant believes he knows the easiest means to the Lakers winning again: Bring Jerry West back."I know Jerry West is an undeniably great general manager and a great mentor to me, and if he's out there and available, it makes absolute sense for him to come back and try to get this team to an elite level," Bryant said by phone Sunday. "And I know it would be his focus to do that right now, not wait around."West's contract as president of the Memphis Grizzlies expires June 30, and there are indications West is entertaining the idea of a return perhaps with a lesser title so that it would not be discourteous toward Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, West's close friend."My main priority is to (Grizzlies owner) Mike Heisley and to finish up with the Memphis Grizzlies," West told ESPN. "I am fiercely loyal to Mike, as I am to Mitch Kupchak. Having said that, I'm a lifelong Laker, and we will see what happens."At the minimum, West said last month he is open to working as a consultant rather than completely retiring. According to Bryant, Lakers coach Phil Jackson told him in a casual conversation when the team was in Memphis this season that Jackson also would be open to West returning. Jackson and West clashed at times before West stepped down as Lakers executive vice president in 2000."It's just a no-brainer," Bryant said.Bryant has been vocal in his frustration especially over the past month that the Lakers haven't returned to contending status since he re-signed in 2004. But Bryant said West's return alone immediately would mollify him, even if Lakers officials were unable to make the bold upgrades to the roster this summer that Bryant has requested."I'll be comfortable with us not being a title contender this summer, because we would have the greatest general manager in the game's history," Bryant said. "That would make me comfortable. I'm sure that would make a lot of people comfortable."Asked if that was a commentary on Kupchak and Lakers vice president Jim Buss, son of Lakers owner Jerry Buss, Bryant said: "It shouldn't say anything at all about them. It should speak to Jerry West's brilliance. I'm not trying to throw Mitch under the bus or Jim under the bus."Still, Bryant further articulated frustrations with what the Lakers haven't done in recent years."Baron Davis is a good friend of mine, Carlos Boozer is a good friend of mine, Ron Artest is someone I've known since I was a kid those are guys we could've gotten," Bryant said. "For whatever reason, it didn't happen."Bryant said he didn't know if Jerry Buss, who has been supportive of Kupchak and is grooming son Jim to take over the team, would be open to bringing West back. Lakers spokesman John Black said Sunday: "Jerry West is under contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, so we are not allowed to comment about anything regarding him."Bryant said he was "making no demands or ultimatums or anything like that." Bryant dismissed speculation that he would want to be traded if West isn't brought back or if certain changes aren't made."My wife is from here, I love it here, and I've been a Laker fan my whole life," Bryant said. "My focus is on doing what I can to get this franchise back to where it should be. What I want to do is win with the Los Angeles Lakers and get us back to prominence."West, who turns 69 today, brought the Lakers four championships and eight NBA Finals appearances in 18 years in charge of the team. West then delivered the Grizzlies their first three playoff berths.It would make some sense for a competitor such as West to want to link back up with Bryant, one of his favorite all-time players, and rediscover success together. Memphis just skidded to the NBA's worst record in a season that West described as "painful."</div><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Kobe Bryant's 11-year tenure with the Lakers took another unexpected turn Sunday when the All-Star guard voiced the need for the franchise to reacquaint itself with a familiar face Jerry West.West, who turns 69 today, was the architect of four championships during his reign as the Lakers' general manager and executive vice president from 1982 to 2000.After presiding over "Showtime" championship teams in 1985, 1987 and 1988, West helped the franchise retool in 1996 by plucking a fresh-faced Bryant from the Charlotte Hornets a week before signing Shaquille O'Neal as a free agent from the Orlando Magic.Bryant has maintained a relationship with West since his NBA career began and made no secret of his desire for the Lakers to bring him on board, which could be awkward for General Manager Mitch Kupchak, who was West's protege."My feeling on Jerry West is I trust him completely," Bryant said. "I don't want to get into people believing me to be bashing anybody. Mitch is a great guy. All I can go by is what has happened with this team the last two years, and I know Jerry West is a guy who's great at what he does."He wants to win and he wants to win right now. I can roll with that, even if we don't have the complete turnaround we're hoping to have this summer. Just having him back in the nucleus will help."Lakers officials declined to comment about West, who will complete an up-and-down five-year run as the Memphis Grizzlies' director of basketball operations when his contract expires July 1.The Lakers couldn't begin negotiations with West until that time, although a source close to West said he might simply choose to retire.If not, West would have to consider whether to return to the team. West and Kupchak are close friends, and West would have to weigh the public's perception and Kupchak's feelings of such a move undermining Kupchak's authority, even if West returns only as a consultant.Lakers Coach Phil Jackson would be fine with West returning, said a source close to Jackson, despite the fact West and Jackson were not on overly friendly terms when West stepped down in 2000.West has kept a home in Bel-Air through the years and is expected to move back to Southern California after his term with the Grizzlies ends.Kupchak has been the team's general manager since West retired in August 2000, citing a desire to be "unburdened with the pressures of professional athletic business" after 18 years of calling the shots for the Lakers. West was hired by the Grizzlies in April 2002. Kupchak has one year left on his contract with the Lakers.Bryant said he did not link his future with the Lakers to the hiring of West, as ESPN.com reported Sunday. He has not asked for a trade and did not foresee seeking one if West was not hired."I would love for him to be a part of this," Bryant said. "But it's not something where I demand he comes here. All I can do is offer my thoughts. I love being a Laker. I want to retire a Laker. I want to fix this thing, or at least help any way I can."One way Bryant can't help is financially.He has four years and $88.6 million left on his contract but can't take less money to help the team acquire a big-name free agent because the collective-bargaining agreement between the NBA and the players' union forbids negotiating contracts downward in order to create salary-cap space.Unlike in the NFL, contracts in the NBA are strictly guaranteed and binding, although Bryant can terminate his in two years, not that the Lakers can envision it.Jim Buss, the team's vice president of player personnel, recently told The Times he feels that, quite simply, "Kobe Bryant is a Laker for life."The franchise is hoping for more patience from Bryant after his stepped-up unhappiness over the last month. Bryant told The Times on Saturday he was "still frustrated" with the direction of the team and was "waiting for them to make some changes."The Lakers have been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs the last two seasons.Two of their main trading pieces, Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown, received unfavorable medical reports in recent weeks, which could make trades difficult in the near future.Odom underwent surgery two weeks ago to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, a procedure that will require about four months of recovery time.Brown will have surgery this week to remove bone spurs from his left ankle and could face reconstructive surgery to ligaments in the ankle that would potentially sideline him for several months.West experienced highs and lows while with the Grizzlies.He was the league's executive of the year after Memphis finished 50-32 in 2003-04. But the Grizzlies were swept in the first round of the playoffs three consecutive seasons and had the league's worst record (22-60) this season</div>
Thanks Chucky. Good reads.This really puts this in perspective:<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>"My wife is from here, I love it here, and I've been a Laker fan my whole life," Bryant said. "My focus is on doing what I can to get this franchise back to where it should be. What I want to do is win with the Los Angeles Lakers and get us back to prominence."</div>Stupid
The Lakers could've acquired Baron Davis, because he was interested in going to the Lakers, for less money. Imagine Davis and Kobe. And then theres Caron Butler, who was traded for no real reason? I always thought he was a good player, even when he was in LA. No idea why Mitch would trade him, now he's thriving in Washington. and with Odom.. they COULD've been a good team. But thanks to Mitch, it's Kobe's team with no help.But I can't imagine him out of a Laker's jersey. It'll just be like. OMG. NO WAY
Crazy idea that will never happen due to a variety of reasons, but trade him back home to Philly to play with Iguodala, and you'd have MJ-Pippen version 2 (not necessarily in terms of winning championships but in playing style, etc.)...Won't happen... but I wish it would...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (P0W3RBALLIN @ May 28 2007, 01:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Lakers could've acquired Baron Davis, because he was interested in going to the Lakers, for less money. Imagine Davis and Kobe. And then theres Caron Butler, who was traded for no real reason? I always thought he was a good player, even when he was in LA. No idea why Mitch would trade him, now he's thriving in Washington. and with Odom.. they COULD've been a good team. But thanks to Mitch, it's Kobe's team with no help.But I can't imagine him out of a Laker's jersey. It'll just be like. OMG. NO WAY</div> It all sounds good on paper, but stuff like that rarely works out.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Kobe Bryant can count on getting some of what he's demanding from the Lakers.That's the feeling I'm getting from Lakerland in the wake of the blast reported Sunday by our own Ric Bucher: Kobe wants Jerry West to return as the organization's lead decision-maker if the Lakers expect Kobe to stay with them.The most likely scenario as of Sunday night, according to team sources, is that West will indeed rejoin the Lakers as a consultant this summer after becoming a front-office free agent on July 1. This has been circulating as a possibility since the Lakers' first-round series with Phoenix. Only now, with a public plea from one of his favorite all-time players virtually upstaging the playoffs, it'll be even tougher for West to resist a homecoming.</div>
