Several years ago, Kobe Bryant was very vocal about his displeasure with the Los Angeles Lakers, and that he wanted out. I can very vividly recall a radio interview he gave to Stephen A. Smith where he stated that he wanted to be traded.
He eventually kissed, and made up with the front office. But apparently that was closer to happening than we’re all aware. Kobe was actually almost a Detroit Piston.
The Pistons and Lakers agreed in principle on a deal but Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss, who passed away early Monday, and Bryant, who wanted out of Los Angeles but Detroit wasn’t one of his preferred destinations, passed. A source confirmed the Pistons and Lakers agreed on a deal, which most likely included Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Amir Johnson and a future first-round pick for Bryant, who wound up being the 2007-08 MVP.
Another league source said former Piston Grant Hill, who was a free agent that summer as a member of the Orlando Magic, would’ve likely returned to the Pistons to fill Prince’s void at small forward.
H/T: Detroit News
