Kobe Bryant To The Bulls?

Over the holiday weekend, ESPN's Ric Bucher reported that Kobe Bryant demanded that the Lakers bring back Jerry West or trade him. Bryant later backed off those comments, saying he was only "suggesting" that the Lakers bring back West.

Of course, all anybody heard was that Kobe wants to be traded, and now the rumors have started.

One of those rumors has Kobe being traded here, to the Bulls. While it would be nice to have Kobe here in Chicago, it wouldn't make the Bulls an immediate title contender. The reason being that they'd have to give up probably both Ben Gordon and Luol Deng to do it. (Incidentally it's not the only trade rumor surrounding Ben Gordon right now.)

I've made it very clear in the past that I do not want the Bulls to trade Luol Deng. Not for Pau Gasol, not even for Kevin Garnett. In fact there was only one player in the NBA whom I'd accept in return for Deng.

And that player is Kobe Bryant.

Now I don't think that this deal is going to get done because I just don't think there's enough for the Lakers to get in return for them to pull the trigger on such a deal. Of course, this is the same team that traded Shaq for fifty cents on the dollar.

Then again, Kobe demanded that trade.

At this point I don't see this deal getting done, but you never know. I might have to start cheering for Kobe next season.