Recently, Blake wrangled me into a Fantasy League. Here is what I know about Fantasy Leagues: nothing. Ok, I do know that everybody talks about their own team when everyone else really doesn't care and is just waiting their turn to toot their own horn about some sweet trade they pulled of with the idiot of the league.
As a fantasy owner, one needs to know how much players are valued at. The hottest story in sports right now is in regards to a player that is almost priceless. The operative word being "ALMOST".
If you have not noticed, Kobe is officially demanding to be traded. He is sick of having to play with a bunch of girl scouts and watch the owner and GM sit back and rake in the case (Bill Simmons noted that tickets for a LAL game run about $350 a game).
So the question is, what does a team have to give up to get Kobe? First of all, any team that is going to trade for him will have to practically sell their soul. The team will have to trade any talent the currently have along with draft picks. This puts Mr. Bryant in the exact same situation as he was in LA. For now, let's look at a few teams that might have the ability to trade for him:
Mavericks: Dirk took a lot of heat this year. He may not hold the value he once did. Maybe Dirk, Dampier, 1st rounder? That is not enough. Let's look else where...
Suns: The fact is they aren't going to win a title with what they have. Sorry. Nash is good, but not that good. From the sounds of things, there is trouble in paradise. Amare was a no show for a final team meet. Could we part ways? Stoudimare, Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, and a draft pick? I am not sure what the Nash/Bryant era would feel like.
The reason I bring these teams up is bec they both of tried for the finals with their currently formula and failed and will keep failing. Things need to change. Ok, on to the middle range teams that could fit:
Bulls: This was suggest on Simmons chat the other day and I liked it. Gordon and Deng (plus maybe a draft pick) for Bryant. You trot out Bryant, Heinrich, Wallace, Tyrus Thomas, and Andres Nocioni. That is not a bad starting 5 with PJ Brown and Chris Duhon coming off the bench. As a Pistons fan, i would not want to go up against that in the Conference finals or ever.
These last two are for fun, but hey, its early, I can say whatever I want.
Portland: this is a stretch but it would be something to think about. Randolph seems to be on the trading block already. Throw in LeMarcus Aldridge and a 2008 draft pick and give it a try. It's not enough, but think about Brandon Roy, Kobe Bryant, and Greg Oden on the same team. That would good chemistry in my opinion. No way do the Lakers take that deal. There would have to be some kind of other incentive.
Detroit: Sign and trade with the Lakers with Chauncey. Billups, Webber (s&t), and a draft pick. Again, this isn't even logical.
Alright, it is time for you, the fans to put something together. Who can put together the best package for LAL?
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7 comments:
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Those trade offers were all awful Rob, I really doubt the salaries even match in most of those. I will do some work tonight and try to throw together some good deals. Prepare to be wowed.
Cletus, good to have you aboard. If you post on our blog, you can also be accosted by Blake for lack of research.
That was a joke.
I was only throwing intersting salaries out there to get the conversation going. I will look forward to your post.
Here are some trades that would work, not saying they'd get done, but they'd work...
1. Rip, Rasheed, Maxiell, 15th, 29th pick for Kobe and change.
2. Bobcats send Ray Felton, Sean May, Brevin Knight, and the 8th pick for Kobe. This wouldn't get done for either side.
3. Knicks send Marbury, Lee, Frye, Nate Robinson, and the 23rd pick for Kobe and Brian Cook.
4. Mavs send Josh Howard, Jason Terry, Devin Harris, Erick Dampier for Kobe and Kwame
5. Kobe and Vlad Rad for Arenas, Jamison and the 16th pick.
6. Kobe for Baron Davis, Biedrins, Monta Ellis and the 18th pick.
I have no idea, I don't really have the energy tonight to try too many trades or three team trades which could be quite possible in this situation. I'm sure there will be some very well written articles on this very topic that I don't have the resources to put together.
I wouldn't be surprised by any trade and I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't get traded at all.
What a whirlwind that was? About a million people (including me) wrote coumns about a Kobe trade in the hours between when he said he wanted to be traded and then when back on what he said faster than a democratic presidential candidate.
Hehe.
Anyway, Simmons wrote on this and I agree, there is no way he is going to the SUns. That would be about the stupidest thing the Lakers could do. Not to mention, if the Suns kept Amare, there would be some major ego probelms on that team. I don't care how sweet Nash is.
The best fit for him (as I said in my post) is the Bulls. They have plenty to give up and still be a contender. Even if they only build around Wallace and Bryant, that is a solid core. The will have to give up Gordon and Deng for sure...and hope that PJ Brown pulls a Jason Williams and has a shotgun incident so they can dump his contract so they can sign a role player for cheap and stay within salary cap limits.
The problem with trading Kobe is that you have to give up SO MUCH to get him. Why is this a problem? A team that has any kind of contending ability is not going to destroy their chances (and team) for Kobe. ANy team that is bad enough to sell the farm for Kobe he won't want to play for because they aren't a contender.
Kobe won't go anywhere. We are destined for another offseason of watching KG and Kidd ALMOST get traded.
I know it, that's the most annoying thing about the NBA. There's always talk of these major deals that never happen. KG has been on his way out in Minny for five years now.
I agree with these last couple of comments. At best, Kobe will almost be traded. He is un-movable right now. No one will give up what it takes to get him. I think teams in all sports learned from the Hershel Walker trade all those years ago.
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