LeBron James and Kobe Bryant played together on the U.S. men's basketball team that captured the gold in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. According to the Los Angeles Daily News, the two NBA superstars could reunite to play together in Los Angeles next season.
The scenario is unlikely, but it remains a possibility for several reasons.
Los Angeles provides the opportunity to play in the second-largest market in the United States, an appealing place for a star like James to sign as a free agent this offseason. More important, playing with Bryant in Los Angeles gives the six-time All-Star the chance to win multiple NBA titles.
The Lakers have a history of acquiring star players, including Kareem Abdul-Jabar, James Worthy and Magic Johnson, via trade (the latter two as draft picks).
The Cavaliers could offer James more money than the Lakers, but if James wants a max contract, the Lakers do possess some assets that could help them acquire the forward. Los Angeles could offer Cleveland a package including Andrew Bynum, either Lamar Odom or Ron Artest and draft picks in a sign-and-trade deal.
The move could appeal to the Cavaliers since they would be acquiring both talented players and draft picks, plus although they would lose James, at least they would move him out of the Eastern Conference.
Such a scenario seems far-fetched, but it could work for both teams.
It remains to be seen if James and Bryant could co-exist, but if the two athletes can share the spotlight as puppets, perhaps they could share the stage in the bright lights of Los Angeles as well.
NESN
The scenario is unlikely, but it remains a possibility for several reasons.
Los Angeles provides the opportunity to play in the second-largest market in the United States, an appealing place for a star like James to sign as a free agent this offseason. More important, playing with Bryant in Los Angeles gives the six-time All-Star the chance to win multiple NBA titles.
The Lakers have a history of acquiring star players, including Kareem Abdul-Jabar, James Worthy and Magic Johnson, via trade (the latter two as draft picks).
The Cavaliers could offer James more money than the Lakers, but if James wants a max contract, the Lakers do possess some assets that could help them acquire the forward. Los Angeles could offer Cleveland a package including Andrew Bynum, either Lamar Odom or Ron Artest and draft picks in a sign-and-trade deal.
The move could appeal to the Cavaliers since they would be acquiring both talented players and draft picks, plus although they would lose James, at least they would move him out of the Eastern Conference.
Such a scenario seems far-fetched, but it could work for both teams.
It remains to be seen if James and Bryant could co-exist, but if the two athletes can share the spotlight as puppets, perhaps they could share the stage in the bright lights of Los Angeles as well.
NESN
What a dream that would be. The sick thing is...its not far fetched the Knicks have the cap space to do it. If they want all 3 of course they would have to take pay cuts but 2 out of 3 is certainly in their realm.
