Outside of suggested he would sign with the LA Clippers about a decade ago, Kobe Bryant has always been loyal to the Los Angeles Lakers. But can the same be said for the front office? That depends on who you ask because according to ESPN, the Lakers tried to trade Kobe Bryant for LeBron James.
While that might sound like a silly trade now, Kobe Bryant for LeBron James was reportedly on the table – an offer from the Lakers to the Cavs – back in 2007.
According to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the event, the Lakers once contacted the Cavs to investigate whether Cleveland would make James available in a possible Bryant trade.
In the summer of 2007, Bryant was 28 years old and coming off a season where he averaged 32 points a game and shot 46 percent from the field. He had three rings and would win his first Most Valuable Player award the following season.
Bryant was under contract for two more seasons, but was frustrated with the Lakers after three consecutive subpar seasons following the Shaquille O’Neal trade.
Why the deal never manifested is not known – likely because great as Kobe Bryant was, the Cavs weren’t going to give up on King James not even four years into his NBA career.
