Are we a darkhorse? Do we want to be? UPDATE: SURVEY SAYS "MOST LIKELY"

by JakeTheSnake on Oct 29, 2007 10:50 AM EDT in Rumors

Just when it looked like we were in the clear regarding the Kobe rumors it looks as if the Wizards have been sucked back into it. Here's what Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune reported about the Wizards possibly making a trade for Kobe:

One general manager on the periphery of the Bryant talks says he believes the "dark horse" to make a deal with the Lakers is the Washington Wizards. The consensus is the Wizards have hit a plateau, but have the star power in Gilbert Arenas to make a deal.

Arenas is talking about opting out of his contract after this season. He's from Los Angeles and has become a star, one of the league's highest-scoring players and an engaging personality who would embrace the Hollywood scene. He would meet the Lakers' demands for an All-Star player if they trade Bryant.

"Watch out for them," the general manager said, meaning the Wizards.

The Lakers probably would want a power forward, which the Wizards don't have. The biggest obstacle, though, may be Bryant's no-trade clause, along with the fact he hasn't indicated any interest in Washington. Still, with Bryant, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, the Wizards would have a three-star set that could match up in the East.

I'm leaning toward bunk on this rumor, but that's also what I said when I heard that the Celtics were about to make a move for Garnett. I still believe at the end of the day if Kobe does get traded, he'll be heading to Chicago because they have the best package to offer. But Washington has the one thing that Chicago doesn't -- an all-star player. If the Lakers are looking for the player with the most star power that's tradeable, it's Arenas. Not trying to say that the Wizards should make the move, just trying to offer the other side of the argument. Feel free to argue how likely and/or how feasible a Kobe trade would be, as well as the ramifications if one went through in the comments.

Update [2007-10-29 13:5:25 by Pradamaster]: Well, well, well. Our man Marc Stein confirms that this isn't necessarily Sam Smith talking out of his behind.

Phil (Nations Capital): How real is the rumor that the Wiz are going to trade for Kobe?

SportsNation Marc Stein: Real enough that I wouldn't call it a rumor. Washington's interest, I'm told, is definitely genuine. What we don't know yet is whether Kobe would be amenable to Washington or exactly how much the Wiz would be willing to part with. But the Lakers would be hard-pressed to do better than a package that features Gilbert Arenas and (if they're lucky) Andray Blatche . . . as long as Gil were willing to agree to a contract extension with his hometown Lakers as opposed to opting out at season's end.

SportsNation Marc Stein: I am no way saying that this is imminent. But our man Sam Smith reported in today's Chicago Tribune that there's a growing buzz about the Wiz getting involved in the Kobe Sweepstakes and I've since heard that there's legit smoke here. We'll have to see what Kobe thinks of sharing a city with the president, since he wields more power than anyone in the NBA with the league's only active no-trade clause.

But wait, there's more.

Andy (Milwaukee, WI): If Kobe were to go to D.C., how would a trio of Bryant, Butler, and Jamison be any different from the trio of Bryant, Butler, and Odom that Kobe started out with after Shaq left?

SportsNation Marc Stein: It would be a trio in the East, for starters. Which makes a huge difference. Plus teams are going smaller and smaller now -- smaller than they were three years ago -- so Butler and Jamison are big enough to work with. The Lakers might not be having so much friction with No. 24 if they had held onto Butler. I have to admit that I thought it was the right move at the time to gamble on Kwame, but Butler proved me (and the Lakers, more importantly) way wrong. Butler, Odom and Kobe would be a decent core now with the way Caron has developed.

I still find it highly improbable that Kobe gets traded, and I'm not sure why the Lakers would do a deal centered around Arenas, when it likely will give them no cap relief. Otherwise, I'm not sure what to think here. Consider this an open thread for trading ideas back and forth.

My piece of advice to the Lakers: Take the Chicago deal instead.

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Comments

Can you be truly devoted...

to a team that makes an effort to improve itself, but rips your heart out?

Thats how I'd feel if this trade happens. If Gilbert opts out and leaves the team, then let me direct my venom towards him if it happens. But to trade the one guy that truly made your franchise enjoyable, for someone who seems to care so little about anything but himself?

I don't know if i could stick with this squad... my basketball jones isn't that strong.

07-08 Reg Season Stndgs(predicted 8/6/07) 1 Chi 52-30 2 Was 51-31 3 Cle 50-32 4 Bos/Det 48-34 6 Tor/Mia 47-35 8 NJ 44-40 9 NY/Orl 42-42

by kdp922 on Oct 29, 2007 12:38 PM EDT 0 recs

i dont know.

I think the truth is that when you have an opportunity to trade for one of the greatest NBA players in history in his prime, you need to do it. If we can keep Twan and Butler, and trade perhaps Arenas, Young and a few 1st rounders (or Blatche or Opec), you have to do it. I love Gilbert as much as anyone around there, but we would immediately be a contender. I would project our starting lineup to something of
PG: Daniels
SG: Kobe
SF: Caron
PF: Jamison
C: Haywood

with Stevenson, Taser, Opec or Blatche (hopefully we could keep 1 or both of them), Songaila, Roger Mason and perhaps we could sign Aaron Miles who looked promising during the summer league as a backup pg. This team has a better chance of winning the title than our current team (as much as i love Arenas).

However, I seriously doubt Kobe will end up coming to DC over Chicago, Dallas or Phoenix.

by finkad01 on Oct 29, 2007 1:15 PM EDT 0 recs

I'm scared

If this deal goes down -- and there's nothing to say that it will at this point -- the entire East should be afraid.

That said, the Lakers are better served trading Kobe to Chicago, which should be Kobe's preference at this point. There are more endorsement opportunities in Chicago than there are in DC.

Third Quarter Collapse: An SBNation Blog for Orlando Magic Fans

by Ben Q Rock on Oct 29, 2007 1:17 PM EDT 0 recs

what about his knee

Gilbert is still hampered by a knee that was supposed to be no big deal six months ago. And I don't quite understand how you trade for Kobe when his contract is about twice the size of Gil's. Andi in Milwaukee also had the right question, this is just LA all over again.

by billyjoe on Oct 29, 2007 1:25 PM EDT 0 recs

Well, not exactly

Caron's much better now than he was in LA three years ago, and Jamison is a far more stable option up front than Odom.

Plus, with AD and Haywood, those are fairly decent surrounding parts.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Pradamaster on Oct 29, 2007 1:30 PM EDT up 0 recs

How's this gonna play with Agent Zer0?

If this trade doesn't happen, will Gil see this as reason to opt out of town or use this is as motivation?

by thebigc1982 on Oct 29, 2007 2:27 PM EDT 0 recs

i'm so conflicted on this....

I REALLY hope this is just Ernie doing his job and looking at any options to make this team competitive. I mean when someone like Kobe is out there a good GM has to take a look and see right? Especially if there is a risk that your best player currently might walk w/o you getting anything. If gil rolls on us next year we will wish we had traded him for ANYTHING let alone the greatest player in the game right now.

I would be devastated if they traded Gil. HE IS THE REASON I AM A SEASON TICKET HOLDER. He has done so much for this team/city/fans.

section 433 seat 17

by jackpitt on Oct 29, 2007 3:27 PM EDT 0 recs

I'm with, well, everyone

I like the lineup we've got. I don't think Arenas is going to walk away next summer, and I think Blatche could emerge into an all-star caliber player at half the price of an Antonio Daniels.

That said, Kobe is going to drop 50+ in 6 consecutive games at some point this season, and he's a lockdown defender.

I'm not rooting for a trade. I highly doubt the trade would ever happen. But if it did, I'll still be excited to watch one hell of a team compete this year.

...That's just so long as Taser isn't included in the deal. He's untouchable. D-Mac for president.

by sierradave on Oct 29, 2007 5:27 PM EDT 0 recs

won't happen

no way pollin takes this on:

The 29-year-old star is owed $88.6 million over the next four seasons, but can terminate his contract in two years.

Bryant also holds the NBA's only no-trade clause, and has a trade kicker of more than $9 million spread over two years for salary-cap purposes, meaning teams basically have to come up with players earning at least $20 million this year to make a deal, making it even more difficult to move him.

by DarrellWalkerFan on Oct 29, 2007 5:48 PM EDT 0 recs

'this isn't fantasy basketball guys!'

no matter how good a trade looks on paper, you just don't treade your best player when you're already a contender. besides, I'm not so sure that this trade even looks all that good on paper anyway

by joshp on Oct 29, 2007 7:01 PM EDT 0 recs

When you put it that way...

you just don't treade your best player when you're already a contender

That makes a lot of sense.

Third Quarter Collapse: An SBNation Blog for Orlando Magic Fans

by Ben Q Rock on Oct 29, 2007 8:09 PM EDT up 0 recs

Of course

That assumes the Wizards are, in fact, a contender, which is highly debatable, subject to one's definition of "contender," and therefore a problematic discussion in and of itself.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Pradamaster on Oct 29, 2007 8:24 PM EDT up 0 recs