Imagine Kobe Bryant Traded To The Washington Wizards?
What if the Washington Wizards traded for Kobe Bryant?
In his Monday column on NBA.com, long-time league writer Sam Smith suggested the possibility of Washington dealing for the aging Los Angeles Lakers superstar. Smith wrote:
"The Wizards have a young, potential star shooting guard in Bradley Beal. You can build with a player like him. Then you give the Lakers Nene and another player since the Wizards have plenty of guys they’re not much using to include in trade. For the Wizards, it’s the chance to take a shot, which they really don’t have now. With the addition of Paul Pierce, the Wizards are about now. Adding someone like Kobe with Pierce, John Wall and Marcin Gortat gives them a shot at the top of the weak East."
My guess is the first reaction of most Wizards fans is that this is a terrible idea. Why would the club want to mortgage its future and deal the 21-year-old potential All-Star Beal for the 36-year-old nearly-washed-up Bryant? CSN’s Ben Standig argues all the reasons why it’s a bad plan for the Wizards–but what if it’s not?
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First off, is the trade even possible? Yes. From a salary standpoint, if Washington includes Andre Miller along with Nene and Beal the money all works out (or the Wizards could use DeJuan Blair instead of Miller, but not until after Dec. 15 when Blair is eligible to be dealt).
The though of seeing career rivals Pierce and Byrant on the same court together as teammates is wildly entertaining.
Now picture the new Wiz starting lineup: Wall, Bryant, Pierce, Gortat and either Drew Gooden or Kris Humphries taking over for Nene at power forward. Another option would be to put Pierce at power forward, a role he successfully embraced with the Brooklyn Nets last year, and start Otto Porter Jr. at small forward.
Could this team potentially take home the Eastern Conference crown?
Derrick Rose is not inspiring a lot of confidence that he can remain healthy and elevate the Chicago Bulls to contender status. LeBron James, Kevin Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers are off to a slow start and there’s a chance they won’t quite be able to put it all together this season.
Pierce has frequently been a nemesis of James in the playoffs. Byrant would undoubtedly relish the chance to take down the “King.” Maybe there’s a window of opportunity for Washington right now?
The scenario contains a lot of “ifs,” but so does the Wizards’ future regardless. Realistically, the vast majority of NBA teams have fairly slim odds of winning a title any time soon. As currently constructed, Washington is firmly in that boat.
However, a Beal-for-Bryant trade might give them just a sliver of hope this year.
Going forward, Wiz championship scenarios most likely involve the possibility of luring free-agent Kevin Durant in the summer of 2016. This could happen with or without Beal. Bryant’s contract is set to expire that offseason.
If Washington saw a moderate level of success under Bryant’s tenure, who’s to say Durant wouldn’t be intrigued by the idea of replacing him?
Next: NBA Player Power Rankings: Does John Wall Make The Cut?