The Kobe Dilemma.

Photo courtesey NBA.com
What do you do if you're the LA Lakers?

Jerry Buss has said his piece and that he has talked to Kobe and assured him they will get him what he needs to win. Phil Jackson was the mediator and used his Zen-like powers to change Kobe's mind. Kobe then takes back his ever so powerful trade request in the same day.

Kind of dissapointing since this was some really exciting news, but a problem still exsists in Laker Land.

Kobe is not happy right now, and that is known. Kobe is getting older, even though he isn't even 30 yet, but he is going into his 11th NBA season. Time is ticking and that team needs to get on the upswing now. Kobe still has a solid 7 years left in him, but he might be the guy that retires when he is 35 or 36. Especially if he can get some hardware post-Shaq.

You want to do everything you can to keep Kobe a Laker, and to make him happy. Though what if the Lakers want to move him and Kobe agrees? If you're the Lakers, who do you trade for and who do you get?

Personally if Kobe is on the trade block, which means he has the choice of where he goes, (because of a "No Trade Clause" in his contract) I can only see a handful of teams that would be able to acquire him.

Chicago
Detroit
Phoenix
Los Angeles Clippers
Dallas
San Antonio
Golden State
Houston
New York

Now those teams above, that's without even thinking about tradeable talent. Of the 29 other teams in the L, I would say those are the only teams that Kobe would even think about going to--New York is a long shot. The above teams are in no paticular order.

Which teams could actually put together a package worth trading for though? The media is right when the big name Chicago comes into play. Chicago in a sense is in the same situation Miami was in a couple years back when they got Shaq. They have a lot of young and talented players that they could put into a deal. Names like Hinrich, Gordon, Nocioni, Duhon, Tyrus Thomas, Thabo Sefelosha and a couple more make for a decent way to package a deal that would be attractive for LA.

New York has a whole lot of nothing and bad contracts.

Dallas would have to move Howard and Terry or Dirk (if I was them, I'd trade Dirk for Kobe in a heartbeat). I think that is a very plausable scenario too. Dallas would make themselves the frontrunner overnight.

Detroit has some good pieces and are the second most succesful team in the league the last 5 years. Tayshaun, Rasheed, Hamilton, Billups and some others--one or two of their starters and some picks could possibly do the trick.

Houston would trade McGrady for Kobe, and probably have to throw in a draft pick or something--this would possibly be the most interesting of all deals. See what Kobe can do with that team, and what he can do for Yao.

Phoenix would have to give up Barbosa and Marion and they could pull it off probably, but how would Kobe fit in there?

San Antonio is slim to do it, and would most likely have to give up Parker, Ginobili, some pics and more? I don't see how this would help them, nor the Lakers for that matter.

Golden State and the Clippers are both in California, Kobe wouldn't have to move a single box, and maybe even keep his locker if traded to the Clippers. It would really be another interesting occurance: same city, same building, different team. Say godbye to Elton Brand and draft picks. Or Magette, Shaun Livingston and some picks and maybe more. Golden State could ship Baron Davis and Jason Richardson--and I think that could possibly help both teams--IF Baron stays healthy.

Now you would have to trade check these deals and mix and match a million times to find the right deal, but odds are I have just wasted my time. Kobe made a fun story for half a day, but I think we all know--he is going absolutely nowhere. They just need to get a new GM, and get one quick.