If Garnett goes to Phoenix, should the Lakers trade Bryant??

Question

I mean, who else can they trade for, that would really be able to help the team out that much, to pair with Kobe??

Lamar Odom, and Andrew Bynum for Jermaine O'Neal??
I think that deal is kind of a wash. I like O'Neal, but if you have to subtract two pretty decent players from your roster to get him, then do you really improve yourself that much?? Enough to be a legit title contender, in the ridiculously tough western conference??

I think the Lakers should trade Bryant (to some team in the east, like New York, or Chicago) and begin rebuilding. If things just stay the way they are, it's first round and done in the playoffs.

Jermaine O'Neal is an all-star, but he's not a "super star."

The Lakers, as of today, are a very mediocre team, that would get bounced in the first round of the playoffs again (if they make it that far).
Also, Luke Walton is just a journeyman player. I'm not sure why Lakers fans are so in love with him.
They definitely overvalue his talent.

Answer 1

Since Garnett seems to be the newest member of the Suns, that begs the question of what the Lakers do with Kobe. Obviously they would like to get a commitment from him that he will stay on board so they can build around him, but Kobe hasn't made that seem like it's in his plans. You're dead on when you say that acquiring Jermaine O'Neal and giving up two starters doesn't really improve your team all that much. The Lakers already know they can't win building around one player. They need more talent, and I don't mean in the form of superstars. They need to develop young players and add solid veterans and worry about finding a leader during this rebuilding period. Kobe Bryant can't win anything by himself, he simply isn't that good. Only Shaq was good enough to win with Kobe, and that was when he was willing to be the second option. Kobe, as a first option, will not win anything.

Answer 2

First if Garnett goes to Phoenix, it is inevitable that Kobe will leave after two seasons (if not sooner via trade). The O'neal deal is not looking good because O'Neal has said he will opt out after one season and so that would leave us even worse than ever minus any player to trade.

So means the Lakers won't get to a place where Kobe would want to stay- however, they are limited right now on who or where they can trade him. Obviously not Phoenix esp. if they get Garnett they'll have nothing left to trade and plus you never want to help the team that has bounced you from the playoff the last 2 years.

Chicago will not gut their team for Kobe and NY has nothing the Lakers would want.

So if they are going no where they should try to trade him next year- or closer to the trade deadline where they can get something for him.

No one in Laker land should want to see Kobe go but if you must trade him- you must get as close to equal value for him. We already really messed up that Shaq trade- at one point Miami was ready to include D. Wade in the deal- and i had heard a rumor at the time either Steve Nash or Dirk Nowitzki (if we had traded him to Dallas) so we need to make the right deal.

Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 3

J O'Neal is a good trade for the Lakers, give Odom, Bynum and the #19 pick, if that's what it take. Kobe and JO are in their primes, and the duo instantly become contenders, regardless of who fills out the roster. With Kobe and JO, the Lakers can attract a few veteran free agents to cover the holes. Re-sign Walton and get a point guard and center, and Laker are deep in playoffs. With the right supporting cast, Lakers can win Championships.

Answer 4

how bout pau gasol...the forgotten one

dude still wants out of memphis

with all thats going on in the rest of the nba, everybody forgot dude still doesn't want to play for memphis

we can give up bynum, odom AND radmonovic, 1st round pick for gasol


Ummm this is hollywood buddy we don't want to give up the best player in the game for a couple of above average players...lakers are known for their great players, without great players this franchise wont survive

I guarantee you they'll do everything possible to make Kobe happy...Dr. Buss has been taking a lot of heat lately for the dumb decisions his managers and his children made. Trading Kobe would be the dumbest move every made

Answer 5

As a lifelong Lakers fan , i don't want to see Kobe go , but on the other hand , i would rather see him traded now for some good players/prospects , then have him unhappy for 2 more seasons and opt out of his contract , and let him go for nothing . It is pretty obvious that Kobe does not want to play for us anymore , so i think that we should just bite the bullet and give him what he wants . However , if they trade him , they have to get good players for him , as he is the best player in the league and is worth millions in ticket sales and merchandise .

Answer 6

they should trade andrew bynum and radmanovic and the 19th pick for another decent player, when lamar and luke were healthy the lakers were doing great, they were 14 games over the 500 mark.

Answer 7

Personally, i wouldnt because if Kobe leaves, then the lakers are basically useless. theyll turn out to be like the bobcats. but then again there are some benefits if they do. they wont have to worry about his swagger and conceitedness (if thats a word), but if they want to rebuild their team its gonna take a while for them to get used to the new players ya know? but idk wat itf some old players on the lakers dont like the people who were traded?

Answer 8

i thought they were really going to..