Report: The Lakers once tried to trade Kobe ... for LeBron
Kobe Bryant and LeBron James square off Wednesday night for the 21st time in their illustrious careers. Both players are icons of their time, and both know what it feels like to sit on the "Best Player Alive" throne.
But how would things look today if back in 2007, the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers had swapped the two megastars in a trade? The effect of such a deal would still reverberate 10 years later, and, unbelievable as it sounds, it almost happened (via ESPN):
This was the moment in time. One was the best player in the league and one was the next best player in the league. If Bryant was ever going to be traded, it would have to be for a player of this caliber. According to multiple sources, as the Lakers went through their options, a call was placed to the Cavs. The intent of the call, sources said, was clear: Would the Cavs make James available in a potential deal for Bryant? Those who worked in Cleveland's front office remember it for one reason, it was the only time a team had ever called and made an offer for James. He was considered an ultimate untouchable. Frankly, until that time, so was Bryant. Even in 2003, when the Cavs won the draft lottery, the team's front office figured it would get a "Godfather" offer or two to give up the No. 1 pick they planned to use on James. But the phone never rang. "I believe it," James told ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin this week about the 2007 offer. "If you give up one big fish, you got to give a big fish too." The Cavs said that James, indeed, was untouchable, sources said.
This conversation immediately vaults to the top of every NBA "what if?" list people love to debate. Would Kobe have five championships or three? Would he have already retired? Would the Lakers have still traded for Pau Gasol? Do the Boston Celtics win it all in 2010? What do the Miami Heat look like? What do the San Antonio Spurs look like? Is Chris Bosh on the New York Knicks? Where the hell is Kevin Love? Do people like Dwight Howard?
The questions are endless, as are all the possible answers. It's fascinating to think about, but even after knowing how everything turned out for both organizations, it still feels like the Lakers were right to make that call.
Kobe vs. LeBron! ?? #CavsLakers! https://t.co/7ldZUK2Y4p
— King James ♛ (@LeBronJames) February 10, 2016
And the Cavaliers, despite still not having a championship to their name, were still right to turn them down. James has been the best basketball player on the planet since 2009 — perhaps even earlier. There's no doubt L.A. would've surrounded him with necessary All-Star pieces because, um, who doesn't want to play with LeBron? He's the most unselfish superstar in league history, a pass-first savant who could've won eight straight scoring titles if he were wired to do so.
And Bryant, well, he isn't the most pleasant teammate. And Cleveland would've had a difficult time supporting his volatile, frustrated genius.
This hypothetical will never not be extremely fun to think about.
