With the Los Angeles Lakers struggling right out of the gate this season, the rumors started to swirl about Kobe Bryant’s status with the team. Many began to speculate whether Kobe would be willing to go through a rebuilding process in the twilight of his career or opt to be traded elsewhere.
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Although the Lakers are 1-5 and will likely continue to struggle this season, the five-time NBA champion still has no intention of forcing his way out of Los Angeles. Kobe spoke with USA Today’s Sam Amick after the team’s first win of the season against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday and said the following about where he stands:
It’s not going to happen,” Bryant told USA TODAY Sports when asked if the temptation to change teams might still grow from here. “It’s not going to happen. You go through the good times, you’ve got to go through the bad times.”
This is more or less what Kobe said the first time he was asked about potentially wanting to be traded this season. The consensus seemed to be that if he was going to get dealt it would be to the New York Knicks to reunite with Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher, but Kobe controls his own fate with a no-trade clause in his current contract:
It’s not going to happen,” he continued after finishing with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists against the Hornets,. “I have a no-trade clause. (Lakers governor) Jeanie (Buss) and (Lakers executive vice president of basketball operations) Jimmie (Buss) aren’t sending me anywhere.”
Anything can happen over the course of an 82-game season that could potentially change the stance of the future Hall of Famer. Regardless of what may lie ahead for the Lakers, Kobe continues to stick to his word. He’s got no intention to jump ship, period.
As of right now, the Lakers are sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference with only one win on the season. The competition in the West is arguably the toughest it has been in recent memory, but it is much too early to give up hope that the Lakers can at least become a competitive team once it all comes together under head coach Byron Scott.
[divide]Kobe Bryant After Lakers First Win, Ed Davis’ Hilarious Tweet To Charles Barkley
