Kobe Bryant a Cleveland Cavalier?
It’s not as far fetched as you may think if a report from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst is to be believed.
According the the NBA insider, the Los Angeles Lakers talked with the Cavaliers about a trade that would’ve sent the Black Mamba to Cleveland in exchange for LeBron James. The offer came in 2007, right after a 22-year old James led his team to the Finals where they ultimately lost to the San Antonio Spurs.
Bryant was just 28 at the time, and it was during a period when the first-ballot Hall of Famer was growing increasingly frustrated with what the Lakers were doing. He wanted to win, and it was expected that a blockbuster deal to send him out of Los Angeles was going to happen.
Obviously, the trade never came about and Bryant would go on to win an MVP and another ring with the Lakers afterward. Still, imagine what it would’ve been like had the 2007-2008 season started with Bryant in Cleveland and James in Los Angeles? Would James have still gone to Miami in 2010? Would Bryant have stayed in Cleveland after his contract expired?
It’s really just fun to think about.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports