At stake is arguably the best basketball player on the planet. Kobe Bryant trade talks dominate the basketball news. He is available - and the L.A. Lakers will consider offers. However, it is not that easy to deal a superstar, even one who has won championships and scoring titles - and also a player who has a ‘no-trade’ clause in his contract. Kobe Bryant has a say in deciding where his next team will be.

The curious thing is that there is a backlash against Kobe Bryant. For example, there are some anti-Kobe articles in the Chicago press:

“…Nothing against Bryant, other than he’s a one-man show in a purported team sport. But after all the Bulls have been through together, all the sweat, the floor burns and the glares from Scott Skiles, the players see something good ahead. And the vision doesn’t include Bryant, unless he’s on somebody else’s roster.”

link: Bulls don’t need Kobe Bryant

The Bulls general manager, John Paxson, laid to rest any speculation of a Chicago trade for Kobe Bryant. It is not happening. That relieves some of the anxiety for the Bulls players about being traded. Focus can return to playing basketball.

Indeed, it must be frustrating for Kobe Bryant as he languishes in Los Angeles. There is a remote possibility of advancing in the playoffs - if the Lakers can qualify for post season play. It must have dawned on Kobe Bryant that, for all his superlative skills and basketball contract worth millions and millions of dollars, he may never reach the NBA finals again. There may be no future championships. Welcome to Alex Rodriguez’s world…

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]nba, trades, kobe bryant, l.a. lakers, chicago bulls, john paxson, championships[/tags]