NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Wanted to Trade Kobe for LeBron Back in 07
Back in 2007, the Los Angeles Lakers, while having the pressure and ire of a disgruntled Kobe Bryant, tried to offer him to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for then budding superstar LeBron James.
According to a report from ESPN, Bryant was the one who demanded to be traded before the start of the 2007-2008 season when he became very frustrated by the team's lack of promise and action to remain as a team bent on winning even after the departure of another star, Shaquille O'Neal.
The Lakers won three straight NBA championships from 2000 up to 2002, but eventually faltered in the succeeding years after getting defeated by the younger and defensive-minded Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals. Everything came falling down after that, starting in 2005 when the team missed the playoffs. It was followed by two consecutive first-round playoff exits at the hands of the Phoenix Suns. That was when Bryant had enough, eventually asking for a trade.
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And since the team at that point was also trying to look at another direction after the Grand Slam, they tried hard to give Bryant what he wanted, tirelessly searching for a team that would give them something big in return for the superstar and future hall of famer. Obviously, no team in the league back in 2007 would dare pass on the chance to get him.
The report said that the Cavaliers were one of the teams the Lakers called. However, LA was asking for James, who already was a franchise player in only his fourth season in the league. Although it didn't materialize, there in fact was a great chance since James eventually bolted Cleveland three years after to "take his talents" to Miami, where he later would win two NBA titles.
But for Bryant, it never was going to happen. "I never would've approved it. Never," he told ESPN. He said that the only teams he was figuring to be part with back in 2007 were San Antonio, Phoenix, or Chicago. And yes, the retiring superstar did have a say if ever the Cavs and Lakers agreed to a deal since he had a no-trade clause in his contract.
