Kobe?

It's been well documented how unhappy Kobe Bryant is. His surrounding cast members doesn't equal a contender, let alone a play-off team in the West.

He has now demanded, or at least that is what we're made to believe, a trade from the team that envisioned him the cornerstone of the franchise.

Well the cornerstone seemingly wants out of the foundation, and frankly it's half his fault. Kobe took Shaq out of the equation, pushed the Zenmaster out for a bit. His attitude was plain--he wanted the spotlight, he wanted to be like Mike. Period.

After the Colorado sex scandal, and gaining years, Kobe understands his time as a prime time player is coming to a close. He wants to play for a winner. Got it.

But, unfortunately, Kobe signed a gigantic contract, making it near impossible for a plethora of trades to even occur. Especially this year.

The Bulls have come up in almost every conversation for the Kobe Trade. He wants to play in a major market, play in the palace MJ built, and the Baby Bulls are now contenders in the weak East.

No way is this happening this year.

The Bulls don't need Kobe. That's right, they don't. The Bulls would have to give up Deng, Gordon, or Hinrich, plus a pick for sure. At least two players and a pick at the least. You could probably throw in Noah or Tyrus Thomas too. By the time the Bulls finished the trade the look would be eerily similar to the current Lakers.

No, what we need is a post scorer, that is it. The Bulls are built for the future, but with a low post threat, title contenders for the better part of five years isn't out of the picture. Kobe couldn't get the Bulls any farther than they would without him, simply the pieces would allow it.

There are definately options out there. You can certainly think of some.
I'd say Pau Gasol.

But I'd love Jermaine O'Neal. Since the KG thing Paxson may have screwed up on. Wait and see for that verdict.


The package that would get most would ideally be--Gordon, a future pick, and Nocioni. Substitute Noc for a couple of other players, maybe including the afore mentioned Thomas and Noah, but the central package would be Gordon, plus one and a pick.

Let's just say the Pacers agree, and the Bulls let go of Gordon, Thomas, and Nocioni. It's win win.

The Pacers get a 20+ scorer in Gordon. A 6th man in Nocioni, maybe even a starter. And Thomas who can come in a play the energizer right away.

So the starting five might look like this--Tinsley, Gordon, Granger, Nocioni, Murphy. With Dunleavy and Thomas first to come off the bench.

For the Bulls--Hinirch, Sefolosha, Deng, O'Neal, and Wallace.

Sefolosha can guard the 2 spot instead of Hinrich constantly being asked to guard the bigger, and usually best player. This will allow Hinrich to focus more on offense as well as using his length to really harass opposing point guards.

There's my thoughts in a nutshell, could change in the coming weeks before the regular season. But what are your suggestions?