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Kobe Bryant Should Waive His No-Trade Clause

Nov 2nd, 2007
Here's the real question:can Bryant have it both ways? The All-Star requested a trade, so how can he justify dismissing potential suitors through his no-trade clause? L.A. was only accommodating their disgruntled star by trying to send him to Chicago-a team he wanted to play for. So Bryant, after requesting a trade, shouldn't stop the Lakers from getting a good deal, right? ... KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports on John Paxson pulling the Bulls out of the Kobe Bryant sweepstakes:
There's not a deal to be done. It's time to put it to rest," Paxson said. "Today sends a message that our guys don't have to worry about anything anymore."
My Quick Take: The player seen as the next Michael Jordan won't be joining the Chicago Bulls. Yesterday, the Bulls dropped out of the Kobe Bryant sweepstakes because they were getting squeezed over Luol Deng.

The Lakers wanted Deng included in any trade. And Bryant, through his no-trade clause, threatened to veto any deal if the Bulls sent Deng out west. For what it's worth, Chicago wanted to keep their young small forward.

Here's the real question: can Bryant have it both ways? The All-Star requested a trade, so how can he  justify dismissing potential suitors through his no-trade clause? 

L.A. was only accommodating their disgruntled star by trying to send him to Chicago-a team he wanted to play for. So Bryant, after requesting a trade, shouldn't stop the Lakers from getting a good deal, right?

But the all-world guard can do as he pleases. Back in 2004, Bryant's agent negotiated the best contract in pro sports. The Lakers gave him a no-trade clause, a trade-kicker payment, the option to get 70% of his annual salary up-front, and a 'max' contract.

Now Bryant says where and who. He picks where he wants to play and, in the case of Deng, who with. After all, why leave L.A. for another losing situation?

But Bryant made his bed with the Lakers. Now he should lie in it. Kobe should waive the no- trade clause and accept some responsibility for a situation he helped create.

Should Kobe Bryant waive his no trade clause? Get at us in the comment box below.

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Comments (8)
Omi November 02, 2007
Kobe Bryant Should Waive His No-Trade Clause
No need to waive the no trade clause. What ever advantage you you can have you should take to leverage you to get the trade you want. Lakers management has been awful, they make promises and break them. They are just using Kobe to fill the seats at LA. Why would Kobe want to waste his important years like Garnett. Life is about winning. If management is not flexible enough to put a good team together, it is time to move on. It is not like the old days anymore. Not easy having a contender. You have to be competitive to get anywhere in life.
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Burger King November 02, 2007
Kobe Bryant Should Waive His No-Trade Clause
Oly you're a Canadian Wanksta. Kobe is a G, he can have it both ways if he wants. He is Kobe Bryant the best Hoops player in the world. By having his no-trade clause he holds all the leverage in deals, if he loses that, he is shooting himself in the foot
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That's how I feel about KB24 being traded November 02, 2007
Kobe Bryant Should Waive His No-Trade Clause
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bAm November 02, 2007
Kobe Bryant Should Waive His No-Trade Clause
the lakers have been good to kobe...but kobe has been even better to the lakers...the lakers supported him morally through his ups and downs...but kobe brought them a crap load of money...and now they're taking him in circles and playin him like ping pong ball...the only thing kobe has going for him is his amazing play and that trade veto...he cant possibly give that up...i think it would be great to see the lakers lose kobe through free agency and get NOTHING in return...unless they do him right and get him some friggin help
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Jdiz November 02, 2007
Kobe Bryant Should Waive His No-Trade Clause
The Lakers were stupid enough to put the no trade clause in there to begin with. It sounds like the Lakers have made their bed and now they can lie in it.
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a guest November 02, 2007
Kobe Bryant Should Waive His No-Trade Clause
Oly isn't a Canadian Wanksta ... Homie is a G, a G baby ...dead right on this
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a guest November 03, 2007
Kobe Bryant Should Waive His No-Trade Clause
Great post ... I agree with this article completely
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a guest November 08, 2007
Kobe Bryant Should Waive His No-Trade Clause
kobe is sooo playedout i used 2 love kobe but he iz jus a arrogant self centerd bitch so fuck him
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