Will the Lakers Trade Kobe Bryant?

The Los Angeles Lakers are apparently still stinging from their first round exit in the 2007 NBA Playoffs. Kobe Bryant was recently quoted as saying that if GM Jerry West does not return to the team next season, he would prefer to be traded. Three years removed from dealing Shaquille O'Neal, the Lakers are still nowhere close to an NBA Championship- but will trading away their premier player really bring better fortunes to the team?

After Kobe voiced his concerns about West leaving, the national sports media erupted with speculation about where Bryant could possibly be traded to. Kobe does have a "no-trade" clause in his contract, but he would waive it if he really wants to leave his team. Because the NBA has very strict rules about trading players (the salaries must line up in a certain way), the scenarios involving Kobe leaving L.A. are rather specific. Kobe makes over $17 million next season, so in most cases a team would have to move more than one player to get him.

"Mike and Mike in the Morning," an television simulcast of ESPN Radio's show of the same name, spoke at great length about the topic Tuesday morning and explored the trade possibilities with a computer program that showed what exact trades could be made according to the salary rules. The following are some of the most likely (and least likely) trades that could be made for Kobe Bryant if he wants out of Los Angeles.