At least two NBA writers believe the Los Angeles Lakers should trade superstar Kobe Bryant to the New York Knicks. While the idea seems plausible, it has absolutely no chance of happening.
Bryant, who's playing in what is likely his second-to-last season, is on a losing team that looks destined for the NBA draft lottery. Some would think Bryant would be better off asking for a trade and competing on a team that could win him his sixth title.
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel and ESPN's Chad Ford both believe Bryant should force his way to New York, where he could join superstar Carmelo Anthony and reunite with Derek Fisher and Phil Jackson. Ford goes as far as listing the pros for Los Angeles: taking back young players such as Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr., getting a 2015 first-round draft pick and taking on the expiring contract of Amar'e Stoudemire.
Bryant, though, isn't going anywhere.
Los Angeles would never take the PR hit that would ensue by trading Bryant, and the future Hall of Famer has already said he is loyal to the club and wants the rare achievement of playing his entire career for one team.
Those two things aside, trading for Bryant makes no sense for the Knicks.
First, Bryant is coming off two major injuries and there's no guarantee - despite him playing well so far this season - he will make it through 82 games in one piece.
Second, Bryant is due $25 million next season before likely retiring. Pair that with Anthony's $22.8 million and there goes Jackson's chance to bring in a young, big-name free agent who will stick around the Big Apple for the next four years.
Third, the assets Jackson would have to ship to Los Angeles for a 36-year-old Bryant wouldn't be worth it. Shumpert might not be back next season, but Hardaway is a backcourt-piece with huge upside. Stoudemire has played well so far - would he be willing to stick around New York next season for a huge pay cut? And a first-round draft pick for an aging veteran?
While the Bryant-Anthony tandem would be a gigantic ticket draw, Jackson has to know it won't bring a championship to New York.
