If the Lakers don't make the playoffs...

[hawkster411]

O.K I know you guys are not fond of Kobe, but hypothetically speaking....

If the Lakers do not make the playoffs, could you guys see the Hawks and Lakers making a deal? A trade that might involve Kobe for maybe two/three/four of our players???

[Guest]

nope. no way, no how. Kobe's not going anywhere until Phil and Shaq call it quits...and then only maybe. Throw in the fact that with his max contract, and contracts having to be equal, what group of players could you come up with that would be close to his salary and yet worth the trade? It can't be done.

The only superstar(s) that can be traded and possibly get very good players back are:

a) a superstar for a superstar (Kidd for Marbury type of thing)

b) a star and some dead weight contracts (Hendu, CC...the Lakers don't really have those)

c) a superstar who's contract is higher than the new max contract alotment due to it's being grandfathered in from before the last CBA - like Garnett's, Shaq's, Zo's etc.

Those players in group C can get contracts that are worth more than any player signing a "max contract" now, because there was no max contract when they signed. Additionally, players with such contracts can continue to exceed a "max contract" value because, in resigning with their own teams, they're allowed a certain percentage raise from their previous salaries...

ok, that was a little long winded.