ESPN: Clippers Kobe's First Choice

[George O'Brien]

ESPN

Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com.

Spoke to an L.A. insider Tuesday and the advice was clear: Keep writing Kobe to the Clippers.


"I just heard that again yesterday," the source said.

Atlanta is already preparing to pursue Bryant hard, but I'm telling you -- and will keep telling you -- that there isn't a team out there with salary-cap room (Phoenix, Denver, Utah) that will appeal to Bryant more than the Clippers. He knows the players there, he knows the coach and he wouldn't have to uproot his family if he switches locker rooms at Staples Center.


New York? That would require a sign-and-trade, and the Knicks figure to be less appealing to Bryant now with Stephon Marbury there as the city's favorite son. It wouldn't exactly be Kobe's team, now would it?


Memphis? Even if Hubie Brown decides to leave coaching at season's end because of health concerns, and even if Jerry West did replace Brown with Kobe's buddy Byron Scott, that doesn't change the Grizzlies' problem. Memphis would have to either convince Bryant to take the $5 million mid-level exception (no chance) or concoct a trade. And I'm still willing to go to Vegas and bet big on the belief that Jerry Buss and Mitch Kupchak -- if they ever did concede that it's better to trade Kobe rather than lose him for nothing -- would never trade Bryant to West. Never.


So face it, friends. If Kobe decides to leave the Lakers, as informed folks in L.A. increasingly believe, the Clippers are his first option.

 

[slinslin]

Marc Stein is one of the ESPN guys who writes articles just for the sake of writing.

 

[elindholm]

Marc Stein is one of the ESPN guys who writes articles just for the sake of writing.

Are there ESPN guys who don't fit that description?

Still, in terms of talent, you could hardly blame Bryant for preferring the Clippers to the Suns right now. Brand isn't as exciting as Stoudemire, but he's a lot more polished and consistent. Maggette is close to Marion's level in terms of overall contribution, if he's not there already. The center rotation is weak, but no weaker than Phoenix's.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Where's Chap with his patented "Kobe will not be a Clipper" post?

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by Brian in Mesa
Where's Chap with his patented "Kobe will not be a Clipper" post?

I still think, when it is all said and done, Kobe will not be a Clipper.

 

[Krangodnzr]

The Clips still have to resign Q Rich, and that will take a near max contract, eating up most of their capspace.

 

[devilalum]

I hope he does go to the Clips, it would restore some balance to the west. In fact I can't think of a better scenario for Kome

The Clips will still stink and the Lakers will begin to decline rapidly.

 

[George O'Brien]

It's not immediately obvious how the Clippers would be able to clear enough cap space. Currently they have $32.7 million set even if they do not extend on Dooling and Richardson. Unless they can move him, I'm guessing that Ely will be exposed to the Bobcats.

Wilcox is their most marketable non-starter and he is scheduled to make $2.2 million next season. At 6'10" 230, he is an athletic big man who was taken one slot ahead of Amare in the draft. This year he is scoring 8.9 ppg (52.7%), grabbing 4.8 rpg, and is playing 21.2 minutes.

If the Clippers are serious about clearing cap space and the Suns decide not to make a big push for Kobe, it would make sense to trade the future Knicks pick to the Clips for Wilcox. He is better than nearly every draft pick in this year's draft after the top two.

 

[slinslin]

Originally posted by Krangthebrain
The Clips still have to resign Q Rich, and that will take a near max contract, eating up most of their capspace.

Q-Rich really isn't worth more than the full MLE so he will get a little more than the MLE from a team under the cap .

 

[Yuma]

The Clips still have to resign Q Rich, and that will take a near max contract, eating up most of their capspace.

Hmm. Kobe or Richardson? NNNNNNNNNNNNNN (loud annoying buzzing noise!) Kobe!! They would sign Kobe BEFORE Q!! Hell, I would sign the Adulterer before Q!

Now, where's Chap to bring on his patented Kobe will not be a Clipper quote!

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by Krangthebrain
The Clips still have to resign Q Rich, and that will take a near max contract, eating up most of their capspace.

Obviously the Clips would have to renounced their Bird rights on Q if they want to go after Kobe.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by Yuma

Now, where's Chap to bring on his patented Kobe will not be a Clipper quote!

Now you can enjoy it every time I post!