Helen Elliott, a terrific sports writer for the Los Angeles Times, is breaking the hearts of Laker fans today. She does not think that Kevin Garnett is going to be traded to the Lakers:

“Garnett supposedly favors the Suns — and the opportunity to have All-Star teammate and pal Steve Nash feed him the ball — over a chance to play for the Lakers. Which only proves that he’s smart, given the Lakers’ current dysfunctional state.”

link: There’s no chance of Garnett joining Lakers

If a championship is what Kevin Garnett wants, it seems that his best chance is with Phoenix. There is no guarantee that, even with Garnett joining the Lakers, Kobe Bryant would stay in Los Angeles. Another early exit in the playoffs would have Bryant demanding loudly to be traded. At the moment, the Lakers are in the midst of drama and trauma. Kobe has called his teammates losers, trashed the general manager and has implied that the team owner is a liar. It would not be the most pleasant work conditions for Kevin Garnett to campaign for a championship.

By comparison, Phoenix seems to be tranquil. The advertising revenue would not be as lucrative for Garnett if he landed in a small market like Phoenix. However, Phoenix would be contending for a championship next year - with one major barrier in the way. Tim Duncan. There are far more side issues with the Lakers, but then one should remember… it’s Hollywood.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]nba, kevin garnett, l.a. lakers, phoenix suns, kobe bryant[/tags]