Barely a week after Kobe Bryant was declared out for the remainder of the season with an injured shoulder, the Mamba to New York Knicks scenario is once again gaining traction. Why not? Because for Sports Illustrated NBA writer Chris Mannix, there's no better deal out there for both teams than sending Bryant to the Big Apple.
For third consecutive season, Bryant had to sit out early in the season because of an injury that required a season-ending surgical procedure. After going through a grueling rehab to recover from a torn ACL and MCL, Bryant is facing yet again another lengthy recovery with a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder.
As expected, speculation about a possible retirement came as soon as Bryant was ruled out of this year's campaign. However, it would be a mind-boggling decision for someone not to cash in on the other half of a very lucrative extension (two-year, $48.5MM extension), especially for a player as shrewd as Bryant. Hence, it's safe to say Bryant isn't done yet. Well, at least for one season.
Armed with a significant cap space that could reach up to $25M and likely two first-round picks in 2015 Draft (their own top-5 protected & another from Houston Rockets), the Lakers will be trying to assemble a team that could help Bryant in his drive for a sixth championship ring.
Unfortunately, there's no assurance the Lakers would be able to attract top-tier free-agents and draft a youngster who could make a big impact right away. Let alone, there's no guarantee Bryant is still capable of leading a team to a championship or even deep into the playoffs in a very loaded Western Conference, considering the injuries and the mileage his 36-year old body has endured over his 19-year career.
Mannix believes there's only one way to make everybody happy here, and that's to move on and wish for the better for both parties.
"Era's end, and like it or not the Kobe Bryant era is on its final days. By dealing Bryant, the Lakers not only clear his contract off the books but begin the inevitable process of figuring out how to be successful without him."
According to the Sports Illustrated writer, the Knicks is the only team that presents a perfect situation for Bryant in the twilight of his basketball days. Not only that he's very much familiar with the ball club's key personnel, but the Knicks offer him the best chance to compete in the postseason than with the Lakers who probably need to survive a Western Conference bloodbath for them to play late in April.
"The only team that makes sense for Bryant is the Knicks, for obvious reasons. There is Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher, the triangle and the appeal of staying in a major market. New York is a bigger mess than L.A., if you can believe it, and first-time GM Jackson is aggressively looking to deal."
"The Knicks will have loads of cap space this summer and have a desperate need to be relevant. They have Carmelo Anthony, who has said publicly he has no problem playing with Kobe. Like the Lakers, they will likely have a top-five pick in June. Unlike the Lakers, they play in the Eastern Conference."
The Bryant to Knicks pipe-dream trade has been going on for the past two seasons. However, Mannix's recent article certainly revived the craziness surrounding a make-believe deal that very much makes sense for all. Will it happen? Probably not, but freaking things happen before and it won't be suprising to see another one soon.
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