Kobe Bryant Not Leaving L.A. Lakers, But Rescinding Trade Demand Makes No Sense

The Chicago Tribune’s Sam Smith reports on Kobe Bryant’s status with the Lakers:

Kobe isn’t going anywhere and never was. He hates to admit it, but he’s better off, and the talk is the Lakers are looking hard to move Kwame’s expiring contract for another piece and make a serious championship run.

My AM Take: Smith is right. The Lakers had no chance of receiving equal value for Bryant because such a thing doesn’t exist. And Bryant realized the teams on his wish-list lack the Lakers’ depth and talent.

All parties are better off with the status quo. So why won’t Bryant rescind his trade demand?

Bryant’s request for a trade is a slight at the Buss family. The superstar believes the eccentric owner scapegoated him after the Shaquille O’Neal trade. Recently, Bryant had issues with Buss giving a tell-all interview to the L.A. Times. Rescinding his trade demand would endorse the Buss clan as owners.

By keeping his status unknown, Bryant is forcing the club to stay proactive. Fair or not, the superstar believes withdrawing his trade request would allow the front office to hit the snooze button and stop trying to add talent. 

Bryant’s on-going trade demand gives him leverage over the organization. Don’t expect him to back down. Even if the club is winning.

Will Bryant rescind his trade demand? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts or hit us up in our fan forum.

The AM Take is Oly’s morning thoughts on the NBA. All errors can be attributed to the time and his need for another cup of coffee. Click here to get his AM Take each morning and subscribe to his blog.