TwinkieFoot

I'm pretty sure I have not been the only person on this board to hear the numerous rumors surround Kobe and a potential trade to a new franchise. Since June, my interest surrounding the situation has not waned in the slightest but has certainly given my outlook regarding a trade some pause. Initially, I felt as though Kobe was a MUST for us if he was available. Considering the man, with little more than Lamar Odom and Phil Jackson, has gotten a CBA caliber supporting cast into the playoffs twice in the Western Conference would not make him anything more than a MUST. In recent weeks, however, with numerous stories surrounding the improvement of the Knicks, I have been a little bit more hesistant giving up whatever and seeing what's left in the aftermath of a Kobe Bryant trade. Since it's become abundantly clear that Kobe will not be traded before the season starts, should the Knicks look to pursue a blockbuster deal involving him if we in fact have a winning record that places us in solid position to be near or in the East elite? I'm still leaning towards yes but alot more cautiously considering the cost of chemistry.

Samael

I feel the same, I want to see the 2 towers in action first before making any moves and Kobe's price tag will be immensely high, I can't even begin to think what would be left if the Knicks went out to get him.

Same goes for Houston, leave Yao and TMac out of this Kobe talks and just leave your team as it is, see if it works first.

Kobe is a desperation move for GMs IMHO, but it's a move that will certainly payoff given the caliber of player that he is; but right now in the middle of his prime the price would be too high.

I'm really interested to see which team actually wins out in getting him and for whom and for how much, because we're not talking about an end of the road Shaq here, or a 31 yrs old KG or A.I. but a 29 yrs old prime Kobe.

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"The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of great moral crisis" -Dante Alighieri

"I slept with faith and found a corpse in my arms on awakening; I drank and danced all night with doubt and found her a virgin in the morning."-Aleister Crowley

TwinkieFoot

Luckily for us, Kobe likely won't be dealt until the February trade deadline when it would be clear whether the Randolph/Curry experiment is working out. I still tedder on the "obtain Kobe at all costs" faction but that might be effected if those guys play well together, as I mentioned before. In my heart of heart's, however, I don't see us as a legit title team this season or in the immediate future but can if Kobe is on board. The guy is just that good where he, Curry and little else could very well make it happen. This is also why I believe trading for Kobe is not a desperation move because you know what your getting with this guy. Isiah should be lighting up the phone bill exhausting any and every option to get Kobe here.

I believe little more than Zach Randolph, Quentin Richardson, Jamal Crawford, David Lee, Demetris Nichols, Fred Jones, two first round picks and cash incentives could get the job done.