Recent rumors suggested that Kobe Bryant might ask the Los Angeles Lakers to trade him to the New York Knicks, but Forbes reported that it is unlikely to happen.
Bryant wants to win another title before he retires, but doing so in Los Angeles is a long shot, considering the fact that they don't have the necessary pieces to at least contend for the championship this year.
The Bryant-to-Knicks trade started when reports indicated that the Bryant wants to reunite with former coach and current Knicks president Phil Jackson, but Mitch Lawrence of Forbes pointed out that the Lakers won't make such move for business reasons.
"Kobe brings eyes to the TV," one NBA executive was quoted as saying. "No, he's not the same player he once was, but people are always going to watch Kobe Bryant."
"I don't see them trading Kobe, not at all," a rival NBA team president stressed. "The Lakers almost have to keep him, as much for business reasons as anything else, and I believe that's what they're going to do."
Bryant, who is averaging 25.4 points to go along with 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists this season, also said in a recent interview that he is not planning to leave the Lakers even if they are going through tough times.
"I hear the chatter of Kobe should ask out and he should go and play for a contender in this latter stage of his career," Bryant told Yahoo Sports. "But that's not what I do. I'm extremely loyal to the Lakers. I believe in fighting through the tough times as well as enjoying the good times."
And even if the Lakers make a sudden change of heart and decide to part ways with the 19-year-veteran, Bryant said that he could veto the deal using his no-trade clause.
Meanwhile, while they have no chance to acquire Bryant at this point, the Knicks are reportedly getting active on trade front and are considering moving JR Smith soon.
Smith, who is averaging 9.6 points and 3.6 assists per game this season, is known for being ill-tempered, but one NBA executive told Nick Borges of ESPN that several teams are willing to take the gamble.
"There's always a team out there willing to take a chance on somebody if they feel he can put them over the top, and there's no doubt J.R. can play," the NBA executive was quoted as saying. "People are going to be concerned about chemistry issues in the locker room, so it would have to be a strong leadership and coaching staff that take him in."
