Kobe:  I hate L.A.

Kobe Bryant officially came out today and demanded a trade from the Lakers.  This is obviously big, big news.  We'll discuss where we think he'll end up (if anywhere) in a bit, but first the background.

Nate Jones at the Fanhouse covers Kobe's tirade on two LA sports radio show yesterday.  He was obviously upset by the combination of the Lakers failing to build a winning team around him and that a "Lakers insider" blamed him for pushing Shaq out of town (as is the common perception).  But Nate Jones added some new dimensions to the equation:

"They traded his best friend Caron Butler (without even so much as consulting him) for Kwame Brown. Kobe stated that he and Butler were working out together that entire summer in anticipation of playing together during the next season. I'm of the opinion that the Lakers didn't want to extend Butler to a long term deal (which Washington did after they traded for him)."

As for point one, the failure to build a contender:

"Kobe says he has every unhappy player in the NBA calling him asking him to see if the front office can do something to get them in L.A., yet the Lakers front office always gives him an excuse as to why they don't want to bring any of those players in. He specifically spoke of Baron Davis, Carlos Boozer, and Ron Artest and said that every time he's brought a deal to the Lakers he's been shot down. Kobe said that Boozer BADLY wanted to play with him here in L.A when the Jazz were going to sell him for $.15 on the dollar, but the Lakers told Kobe they didn't think he could guard the four."

How does Kobe respond?  By taking the offensive, and tossing the blame back at Dr. Buss (the GM of the Lakers) and striking back at the entire Lakers' organization.  Check out these quotes, from The Philadelphia Inquirer:

"He met with me at the Four Seasons Hotel here across from Fashion Island, which is now the Island Hotel," Bryant said. "I went up to his penthouse suite. [Buss] looks me dead in the face and says: 'Kobe, I am not going to re-sign Shaq. I am not about to pay him $30 million a year or $80 million over three years. No way in hell. I feel like he's getting older. His body is breaking down, and I don't want to pay that money to him when I can get value for him right now rather than wait. This is my decision. It's independent of you. My mind is made up. It doesn't matter to me what you do in free agency because I do not want to pay [Shaq], period.'"

"Dr. Buss said that," Bryant said. "And I haven't said anything for years because I've always felt like folks were just looking to create controversy. Now I know. I realize what extent [the Lakers] will go to, to cover themselves."

Interestingly enough, guess how Shaq feels?  According to that same article, he believes Kobe:

"I believe Kobe 100 percent," said O'Neal, reached yesterday while in Los Angeles on business. "Absolutely. There's no doubt in my mind Kobe is telling the truth. I believe him a thousand percent. I would have respected Dr. Buss more as a man if he would have told me that himself, because I know he said it. But he didn't [tell me]. He never said a damn word to me."

Think he just said that to Steven A. Smith?  Nope, it's also up on Kobe's personal website, too:

"Man, hearing something like that, which is not true, and which comes from the "inside" is totally frustrating. The fact of the matter is that many people don't know what really went down when I was approaching free agency because I have stayed quiet about it this whole time."

"Dr. Buss made it clear that his decision was final, his mind was made up and no matter what I decided to do with free agency he was still going to move Shaq."

If you want to know about what motivated the Kobe/Shaq relationship, check out this great piece from D-Wil at the Starting Five. 

Kobe, public relations genius?  According to Nate Jones this afternoon, yes: 

"In one day, Kobe has demonized the entire Lakers organization. He worked his magic to paint the Lakers front office staff as lying, incompetent bunch (there's a very good possibility that they are indeed all of those things). He stated that the L.A. Times Article which quoted a Lakers insider as saying that he was the reason Shaq was traded is what set him off. But maybe, just maybe, that was the perfect opportunity for Kobe to get what he really wanted."

What he wants, according to Nate Jones, is either Jerry West as the GM or a trade to a contender.  So let's get to the possible locations for Kobe, if he gets traded, and we're gonna go on record here and say this: the Lakers will do everything - EVERYTHING - they can to keep him, because this is a public relations disaster.  Kobe has not only in a way made himself more "likeable" by proclaiming himself the victim of the Lakers' shadiness here (Kobe was probably the most hated NBA player in the league prior to this, so this can only help), but he's also made the Lakers' fanbase potentially dislike the organization.  He's painted them as (rightfully, in all likeliness) a shady bunch of liars.  Especially Dr. Buss, who just got caught DUI with a 23-year old woman at his side.  Not a good week for Buss.  Guess whose deal with Satan just expired....

Things to keep in mind: Kobe has a no-trade clause, so he gets to approve his destination.  The Lakers have to show something tangible for trading Kobe, and draft picks and young players with potential ain't gonna cut it.  They need young studs to keep the fans hope's up.  And the team that picks up Kobe is going to have to pay him an extra $13 million dollars on the side (not effecting the salary cap).  So they have to be deep pockets.  Here are your possible locations:

According to Bodog's odds (found via True Hoops, which is on top of this story, too):

Boston, 20/1:  Sorry, those odds aren't high enough.  Yes, they can actually offer the Lakers a decent package - Paul Pierce and Al Jefferson, for example.  Or Paul Pierce and the #5 pick, better yet.  But why would Kobe want to play in Boston?  Aside from the fact that the Celtics totally suck (especially minus Pierce and/or Jefferson), and are in the middle of a rebuilding (i.e. aren't contenders right away)?  How about this: Kobe is black.  I highly doubt he would want to play in Boston, even if they were a good team.  Think he wants to deal with the Boston media?  But we do think a move to the Eastern Conference is what he wants, so to better his chances of immediate domination.  SML's odds: 75/1.

Chicago, 3/1: The favorite.  They have the talent to give up (bye-bye Gordon and probably Deng, too), they are in the Eastern Conference, and Kobe gets to follow Jordan as the savior of the Bulls.  That retired 24 would look nice next to Jordan's 23, right?  But one catch - I don't think Skiles likes having a big star on his team.  Nor Paxson.  Especially one who will undoubtably call the shots in Chicago from the day he walks in.  But the Lakers and Kobe would both be pulling for this to happen.  SML's odds: 5/1.

Dallas, 4/1: Yeah, those odds are on target to us.  Dallas can trade salaries, and talent, and still keep a contending team around Kobe.  Dirk for Kobe straight up?  How about Josh Howard and Jason Terry for Kobe?  Both are doable trades.  Can you imagine Kobe and Howard (or Kobe and Dirk)?  Still, the Lakers would rather move Kobe to the Eastern Conference.    

Golden State, 10/1: Nope, sorry.  Richardson for Kobe is not enough.  Richardson plus Biedrins?  Kobe plus Baron plus S-Jax?  Is this really a championship team, or just a fantasy team?

Houston, 15/1: Actually, Henry Abbott has a good point - why not trade T-Mac straight up for Kobe?  Well, for one, why would Houston do that?  Do they think Kobe is that much better than T-Mac?  I think so - this Houston team may not be deep, but they can win a championship with Yao and Kobe (since Kobe can take over in the 4th better than Tracy did this season).  And with a new coach on the way, Kobe gets to put his stamp on the team.  We put the odds at 8/1 - still too long of a shot, but more doable than some of the other teams mentioned.

Clippers, 7/1:  No way.  The Lakers are not trading Kobe into their backyard.  The Clippers have little to offer but Brand, and trading Brand equals = even worse than the current Lakers team.  NO.  Those odds are way too generous.  SML's odds: 25/1.

Miami, 25/1: Ha, speaking of 25/1 odds.  Why not trade Wade straight up for Kobe.  Kobe gets to prove he's the best, Shaq seems to have forgiven Kobe (judging from his remarks), and Kobe stays somewhere nice.  Yeah, right... 18/1.

Minnesota, 6/1: Kobe would want to play with Kevin Garnett, make winners out of both of them.  The Wolves don't have much to offer, but if Kobe wants to force his way to a Garnett, he will.  What could they offer?  Randy Foye (the Lakers do need a PG, right?), plus the #1 this season, plus really anything else on their team (McCants?).  Kobe plus Garnett plus trash = 55 wins and a legit contender.  Can McHale get any luckier?  SML's odds: 4/1.

Nets, 12/1:  Sign and trade Vince Carter, maybe add in Marcus Williams.  Kidd plus Kobe plus Jefferson plus Nenad Krstic = top team in the East.  For the next two seasons.  Then Kidd is gone (if he even lasts that long), and Kobe will need a new teammate in Brooklyn.  Kobe plus LeBron in 2010?  SML's odds: 6/1

Knicks, 11/2:  Wow, great odds.  I wish we had that good a chance (#4 overall!).  But come on, what can the Knicks offer?  Francis, Lee, Frye, Balkman, Morris plus the #1?  Actually, that's not a bad list of prospects.  But the Lakers are gonna want something tangible, not a bunch of prospects, so unless Kobe insists on NYC (could Isiah get any luckier?), we got them at 10/1.  Sigh.

Phoenix, 7/2:  Oh, yeah!  Who is really the MVP?  Nash for Kobe straight up, and let's settle this for once.  The Lakers aren't going to do much better than they did this season, and Phoenix might not win 60+ games, but they will have a better chance of winning a title with Barbosa, Kobe, Amare and Marion.  Of course, Nash isn't enough for the Lakers, so the Suns throw the Hawks' #1 pick next year.  Perfect trade.   SML's odds: 5/2, the frontrunner.

Portland, 9/2: Another team with tons of assets - Randolph and Jack for Kobe?  Then Portland fields Roy, Kobe, Webster, Alridge and Oden.  Of course that's unlikely, since the Lakers wouldn't want to keep Kobe so close to home, nor take back Randolph.  But the Blazers have some assets to move, and should at least make an offer.

There you have it.  Again, our predictions (in order) are:  1) no trade 2) Phoenix 3) Dallas 4) Nets 5) Bulls

We'll be keeping an eye on this, as should you all....

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