It’s an off night for the Cavs, so let’s take a quick look at the big news around the league, starting with…
Dallas: Boy, I should’ve led off with the Lakers, huh? Only reasons the Mavs have for being in the news right now are Mark Cuban’s dance moves and Kobe’s impending trade, and I sure as hell don’t care to see Mark Cuban dance. Too bad Kobe to Dallas won’t happen. They aren’t giving up Dirk – and why should they? Kobe and Dirk would be amazing together. Jason Terry would probably be one key, since Devin Harris has a poison pill contract, but who else, other than Michael Finley’s expiring contract, is worth anything to the Lakers? Certainly they don’t want a string of 28th picks.
So who else could the Lakers be looking to dance with? All the other rumors you’ve already seen point to Chicago and Phoenix, but there a few other possibilities. Let’s pick a few that might just work…
Philadelphia: They have Andre Miller, Andre Igoudala, and a few youngsters and peripheral talents in Korver, Willie Green, Thad Young and Rodney Carney. Can the Lakers get enough back out from that and leave enough for Kobe to agree? Doubtfully. Besides, the 6ers just rid themselves of a great guy for the rest of the team to stand around and watch, and they ended the season looking pretty good, so they have no need to shake things up.
Memphis: Surely, Jerry West would love to get Kobe back, right? What? He doesn’t work there anymore? Nevermind. Imagine, though, Kobe, Gasol, and either Lowry or Conley. That team could be special. Let’s not rule this one out just yet.
Knicks: Alright, Kobe just nixed the possibility of this, but talentwise, it might’ve been the best bet. Zach Randolph might not be a great guy, but by all accounts, he’s a hard worker and that ought to synch up well with Kobe’s burning desire to completely obliterate anyone considering playing basketball. Isiah could try an offer with Curry, send Quentin Richardson back to LA, and throw in Jamal Crawford, since there are only about 8 minutes coming off the bench at the 2. Any small salary, like Sasha Vujacic, would make it work. The Knicks would end up trotting out Randolph, David Lee, Renaldo Balkman and Starbury next to Kobe, while the Lakers would get to keep Bynum developing off the bench for another year and get some replacement scoring to run in the backcourt with Jordan Farmar. Too bad Isiah and Larry Dolan are such idiots, because I’d sure enjoy that team!
Wizards: Arenas is marketable, and he’s already said he’s going to test free agency, so he must be available. And after suffering alongside Kwame Brown, Kobe probably burns to run with Caron Butler, just to know what could have been. I’d love if Kwame had to follow Kobe cross-country if the Lakers demand Antawn Jamison as well. Either way, that Wiz team would have a solid big or two, with Antonio Daniels and Caron Butler lightening Kobe’s load, while I’d get to head down the street to play some Xbox with Agent Zero. Everybody wins.
Boston: Why the hell not? I’m sure Kobe would be willing to run the point alongside Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.
That’s all I have. Despite my flawless logic, I’m sure we’ll just be hearing more about the Bulls, the Suns and the Mavs.
