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@Portland Trail Blazers

When Kobe Bryant demanded a trade on May 30, 2007, he was under contract for four more years but had an out after the 2008-09 season. Bryant felt that management had misled him about the direction of the team, and he didn’t want to wait around for a 19-year-old Andrew Bynum to develop



Following Shaq’s request to Miami in 2004, the Lakers decided not to give in to their franchise player, and the Lakers would then trade for Pau and win several championships. Many people talk about Shaq’s 2004 granted request to Miami and ignore the subsequent resulting request from Kobe that was ignored. Kobe’s player option provided much more leverage than Dame’s.

Although, personally, I prefer to walk into the next generation with Scoot/assets- with the news of Embiid, there seems to be some hope. Factoring in large/small markets regarding expectations for trade returns, making it unlikely but better than Miami’s package, in my opinion.

Welcome any thoughts and opinions.

[A history of unfulfilled NBA trade requests: Kevin Durant joins Kobe Bryant and other stars who stayed put – CBSSports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/a-history-of-unfulfilled-nba-trade-requests-kevin-durant-joins-kobe-bryant-and-other-stars-who-stayed-put/#:~:text=The%20one%20everybody%20remembers,after%20the%202008%2D09%20season.)

by Glad_Candidate2886

16 Comments

  1. blueberry__wine

    Well Bynum was certainly a strong contributor but it was Pau that pushed the team into contention

  2. BlackSocks88

    Too bad we drafted another PG then.

  3. CentralOregonGolf

    Kobe also had 3 rings by this point…

  4. MisterRanch

    Only trade I’m willing to accept is Dame for DJ Diesel

  5. sean_buttcannon

    These comparisons are always so god damn ridiculous.

    The nets were able to convince KD because on paper the had a contending team. Unless we can spawn a harden or Kyrie type of player, reverse our strategy mid summer, and build a contender it’s not the same.

    The lakers were able to pull a pau gasol out of thin air. So again, unless we reverse our strategy mid summer after not doing anything, after openly talking about trading dame, and sitting on our hands with draft picks. It’s not the same.

  6. YoungSuplex

    Dames wants to leave because we suck and he’s never won a single conference finals game. These analogies to Kobe and KD, who both had multiple rings when they requested their trades, are not applicable to this situation

  7. Menotme8me

    La also had like 3 or 4 championships with kobe to fall back on.

  8. I think there’s a chance for sure that Dame stays. It’s not a big chance, but if we get to next season with him on the team and we somehow way overperform, I think it’s a possibility.

  9. durmduke

    I still think we should keep Dame and try to make some moves in a year or two max. There’s no way he’s traded and doesn’t regret it unless he wins a chip.

  10. AyKayAllDay47

    ….. And then he stayed and he eventually won two more rings….

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