This is NEVER gonna happen, but in light of the Lakers' inability to make the playoffs and team turmoil, a potential trade of Kobe makes some sense. This week's Sports Illustrated handed out its awards for the 2004-2005 NBA season. The Lakers Jerry Buss received the Fall of Rome Award as SI stated this:

Amid leaguewide specuatlion that no star will want to play alongside Kobe Bryant and with an extensive rebuilding process will the Lakers' owner - the architect of this mess - sell the NBA's most valuable team?

So if nobody wants to play with Kobe, who's the perfect team to trade him to? Our beloved Knicks, of course. And we could actually have what the Lakers want, especially if they were to be sold (which usually means a BIG-TIME rebuild), cap relief.

Although neither scenario listed nets the Lakers a young potential star, (partially because we don't really have one) which is often prefered in purge trades, they would get MEGA cap relief in 2006-07, where they could sign someone and/or get a high draft pick after enduring one dismal season. Then they would have a chance to make a play for guys like Lebron, Wade or Anthony when they become free-agents in 07-08. Maybe I'm being optimistic with the numbers for the Lakers vs. the salary cap, etc., but I'll leave question that to the salary match research critics.

Here is trade proposal #1:

New York trades: SG Anfernee Hardaway (7.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.0 apg in 24.2 minutes)
SF Tim Thomas (12.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.5 apg in 27.8 minutes)
New York receives: PF Lamar Odom (15.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 3.7 apg in 36.3 minutes)
SG Kobe Bryant (27.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 6.0 apg in 41.0 minutes)
Change in team outlook: +23.2 ppg, +10.3 rpg, and +6.2 apg.

L.A. Lakers trades: PF Lamar Odom (15.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 3.7 apg in 36.3 minutes)
SG Kobe Bryant (27.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 6.0 apg in 41.0 minutes)
L.A. Lakers receives: SG Anfernee Hardaway (7.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.0 apg in 24.2 minutes)
SF Tim Thomas (12.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.5 apg in 27.8 minutes)
Change in team outlook: -23.2 ppg, -10.3 rpg, and -6.2 apg.

TRADE ACCEPTED

While this is probably close to insane from the Lakers perspective, it certainly would be a FANTASTIC deal for the Knicks. It would give the Lakers the cap relief they might want to make moves at big free-agents, and get rid of Kobe, but this seems like a highly unlikely trade.

Trade proposal #2:

New York trades: SG Anfernee Hardaway (7.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.0 apg in 24.2 minutes)
SF Tim Thomas (12.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.5 apg in 27.8 minutes)
New York receives: SG Kobe Bryant (27.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 6.0 apg in 41.0 minutes)
C Brian Grant (3.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 0.5 apg in 16.7 minutes)
Change in team outlook: +11.8 ppg, +3.9 rpg, and +3.0 apg.

L.A. Lakers trades: SG Kobe Bryant (27.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 6.0 apg in 41.0 minutes)
C Brian Grant (3.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 0.5 apg in 16.7 minutes)
L.A. Lakers receives: SG Anfernee Hardaway (7.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.0 apg in 24.2 minutes)
SF Tim Thomas (12.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.5 apg in 27.8 minutes)
Change in team outlook: -11.8 ppg, -3.9 rpg, and -3.0 apg.

TRADE ACCEPTED

This one would seem somewhat more likely, as the Lakers would get to keep Odom and get rid of Grant's annoying contract, which lasts one year longer than Hardaway or Tim Thomas. You could even throw in Ariza as part of the deal if they wanted to get a young player with some potential because the numbers would still work.

Are these trades gonna happen? I doubt it, but it seemed worth throwing out there since we have little else to hope for these days other than something that will make this team something to talk about in a positive light.

While this is probably close to insane

not close to...it is.