Kobe’s big announcement.

This week’s most discussable rumor in Los Angeles is probably the trade of Kobe Bryant. After the interview with Kobe earlier this week, ESPN The Magazine’s Ric Bucher relayed that Kobe announced he wants the Lakers to bring Lakers’ former general manager, Jerry West, back to the organization and give him full authority; otherwise, he wants to be traded.

Jerry West

Jerry West was one of the greatest guards in the NBA history. He led the Lakers to NBA finals nine times during his 14-year playing career in Los Angeles. One of his greatest achievements after he retired from the league was rebuilding Lakers from an average team to a champion shaped team. He brought Shaquille O’Neal to the team as a free agent and traded Vlade Divac to Charlotte for Kobe Bryant in 1996. Because the right decision made by West, Lakers eventually won their champion crown back in 2000 and had won the title for three consecutive years.

Lakers’ statement on Kobe’s trade demand

Jerry Buss, the owner of the Lakers organization, just recently responded on Kobe’s trade issue. He simply said that the organization is aware of this news. However, they have never spoken to Kobe in person about his trade demand.
“We have made it very clear that we intend for him to be a Laker his entire career.”
said by Jerry Buss. Lakers want to keep Kobe Bryant in the team, but Kobe obviously doesn’t want to spend the rest of his career time to help a team to play more playoff games. He wants to be in a team that has the ability to challenge for the championship.

What’s next?

Jerry West is currently the director of Grizzlies basketball operation and he is leaving the Grizzlies on July 1. Will Lakers hire him to be their general manager again based on Kobe’s statement or will Lakers refuse that and trade Kobe? I don’t know is it going to be the right decision to bring Jerry West back but they’ll have to keep #24 in the team. They need him not just for Lakers’ business market but Kobe is definitely the key element for them to win the championship.