Kobe To Bulls Talks Ongoing

by Jeff Clark on Oct 27, 2007 8:57 PM EDT in NBA Articles

The Kobe Bryant-to-Chicago trade talks are very real, and they've been real for a while.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls have been having daily discussions about Bryant trade possibilities for at least the past week, with Bryant's no-trade clause throwing a unique wrench into the situation, according to sources.
The Lakers are asking for a package built around Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah, which is more than Chicago is willing to surrender. Also, Bryant would not want to play in Chicago if the Bulls surrendered all four of those players, believing there would not be enough talent left to compete for a championship, and he would veto that trade even if the Bulls and Lakers were both in favor of it.

This thing is going to happen. You can just feel it going that way the same way it felt before AI was traded and before KG was traded, etc.

And I get the feeling that the Lakers will be the ones caving and taking less for Kobe.

That would be bittersweet since it means the Lakers implode but then Kobe is in the East. It will be interesting anyway.

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this is scary…if the bulls hold on to deng somehow they might become the team to beat.

by lovethecees on Oct 27, 2007 9:25 PM EDT reply actions

I can’t see the Lakers moving Kobe unless the package is centered around Deng. Gordon Thomas just isn’t nearly enough value.

On the pre-season broadcast last night, it was reported that the Lakers have been telling teams that called that it’s going to take their three best players. That won’t happen, but they won’t give Kobe away, either.

by Roy_Hobbs on Oct 27, 2007 9:48 PM EDT reply actions

I hope that Kobe stays out of the East if he is moved, though I really don’t think a trade will happen unless some team is willing to overpay. Tha Lakers need to maintain interest in their team, and rebuilding with a bunch of young guys will not get it done. Timberwolves West Coast is not in Jerry Buss’ game plan.

by lemonadesky on Oct 28, 2007 7:59 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed… keep Kobe out west. I dont want to add him to a Bulls team we already cant beat.

Ray Allen, Rondo, Big Baby for Kobe?

What team has enough talent to trade Kobe value to the Lakers, while keeping championship caliber players to satisfy Kobe?? Nobody. Maybe Miami. But why would they do it?

I say Kobe stays in LA until he can opt out or close to it.

by rickyfan3.0... on Oct 28, 2007 8:39 AM EDT reply actions

I like it a little bit. It makes the east a bit more competitive, but at the same time makes it a little harder for us. Only way this is a good trade for the Bulls is if they get to keep Deng.

by ManUp on Oct 28, 2007 9:13 AM EDT reply actions

rickyfan3.0… said:
Agreed… keep Kobe out west. I dont want to add him to a Bulls team we already cant beat.

Why can’t we beat the Bulls?

by Who on Oct 28, 2007 9:37 AM EDT reply actions

Kobe shall be a Bull and we shall be The Matador.

by El Celtico Fan on Oct 28, 2007 11:18 PM EDT reply actions

I know this goes against conventional wisdom, but I’d jump at a package of Deng, Gordon and Noah (if Chicago’s willing to throw in Thomas too, all the better). With Bynum, Odom, Fisher and Walton, and that’s a nice 8-9 man rotation. Like almost every other team, they’d still need a true point, but I still think they’d do better than sticking with the Kobe thing.

by Cousin It on Oct 29, 2007 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

Kobe to Washington, for Gilbert Arenas. Book it. It all comes down to whether Kobe is willing to go to DC, and I think he will be – paxon is too cowardly to pull the trigger in chicago.

by Cullain on Oct 29, 2007 11:51 AM EDT reply actions

If Kobe goes to Chicago, I’d predict the over/under at 15 games before Skiles would be gone. I can’t imagine those two co-existing.

It wouldn’t worry me at all to see him in Chicago or Washington for that matter. Either would have to deplete their roster to the point that Chicago would be worse and Washington would be about the same.

by iowa plowboy on Oct 29, 2007 3:16 PM EDT reply actions

Kobe will not end up in Washington. All those saying so are forgetting Kobe’s “no trade” clause.
And if Pax grows a pair & trades for him, you’re telling me that a starting rotation of Kobe, Duhon, Wallace, Hinrich & [insert random name] doesn’t win games? In the east, that’s a damn good rotation.

by withmalice on Oct 29, 2007 10:49 PM EDT reply actions