OK now your Jerry Buss
Under what, if any cicumstances, do you trade Kobe.

Unless Dirk can be sent over from the Mavs (no way Cuban will entertain) or Yao from the Rockets, there is nobody worth trading for.
Best scenario if I were Kupcheck; get clever quick and bring some talent quick to complement the core of Bryant, Odem, Walton, Bynum and of course Coby Karl.

Let me just start by saying that can't trade Kobe Bryant for anyone in the NBA. Okay now that I got that out of the way there are only four players that could be considered:

1) Dwayne Wade: Young, marketable and would be essentially a younger, shorter Kobe.

Possible?: Nope, Kobe-Shaq part 2 would never happen. Plus, the Shaq-Penny reunion is fun enough.

2) Tracy McGrady: A similar player to Bryant, also marketable and has the scoring ability to carry this Lakers roster.

Possible?: Nope, the Lakers would never trade Kobe for McGrady. McGrady brings nothing that Kobe doesn't have and, as he proved again recently, he's injury prone.

3) Kevin Durant: The most hyped rookie has lived up to expectations for the most part so far. Great scorer, incredible physcial talent. While his numbers aren't like LeBron's his rookie year, Durant would be an acceptable swap for Kobe.

Possible?: Nope, no way the Lakers trade KB for KD. While Durant should be a great player, it would create riots again in LA if the Lakers traded their best and most popular player for a 19 year old rookie.

4) LeBron James: This one makes the most sense. In a way, both teams would benefit. I think the worst kept secret in the NBA is that LeBron is going to bolt when his contract his up, so by trading him early, the Cavs would get Kobe for the tail end of his prime. Plus, he would keep them competitive in the East. LA gets the games next ambassador and newest marketing king.

Possible: Kinda, but very unlikely. I guess I could see this happening but it just seems very far-fetched.

So end analysis, there's no way they trade Kobe...I'm 99% sure.

-Vip

The Lakers had the opportunity to land Jason Kidd, but cupcake Kupchek wouldn't include Bynum in the deal. What the Lakers truly need is to get a G.M. like Jerry West. Any one know what truly drove Jerry away from Lakes?