Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers are synonymous. He played the entirety of his legendary career for the Lakers and is widely regarded as one of their greatest ever. However, it seems Kobe was very close to joining the Dallas Mavericks.
The Billionaire owner of the Mavs, Mark Cuban, recently opened up about Kobe almost joining the team. All the way back in 2007, Kobe faced a troubled relationship with the team. The Mavs looked to take advantage of the situation and sign one of the best players in the league.
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Interestingly enough, it seems the deal was all but done. However, the general manager of the Lakers, Mitchell Kupchak, talked Kobe into staying.
Cuban said, “I was going back and forth with Dr. Buss. I think he called me… and said, ‘Look, we think we might be parting ways with Kobe.” He further added, “I guess Mitch Kupchak talked Kobe into staying. When a guy that is key to your team wants to leave, you’re gonna do everything you can to keep them.”
“I thought [the Kobe trade] was done.” 👀
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 16, 2022
Mark Cuban gives the back story of how the Mavs were close to trading for the Mamba in the B/R app 🤯
📳 https://t.co/03ruOImHHY pic.twitter.com/Bmx4VCBqGa
This admission by Mark Cuban has sent fans on Twitter into a frenzy. Moreover, some of them feel the duo of Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki could have gone for a three-peat.
Shocking Kobe Bryant trade details send NBA fans into a frenzy
It is almost impossible to associate NBA legend Kobe Bryant with any other team than the Lakers. However, Mark Cuban’s recent words revealed that seeing Kobe in a Mavs jersey was all but done.
Here are some of the best reactions to Cuban’s revelation.
Kobe and Dirk would’ve been insane
— serg2cold (@serg2cold) August 16, 2022
Would’ve finally got a LeBron vs Kobe finals, what’s also funny is mfs think kobe was loyal. He’s asked for trades plenty of times
— ²³𝙻𝚎𝙱𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜🏀☄️🌎💞 (@BronGotGame) August 16, 2022
Who’s beating Dirk and Kobe realistically
— 𝕶𝖆𝖎 🏆 (@CavsSense) August 16, 2022
2 superstars that can carry their team by themselves what more if they got the chance of playing together. that would've been nasty👀
— Lu-ka Don-chitch (@LukaDaDon77) August 16, 2022
Kobe would of got to 6 championships easy
— Illyboy19 (@Illyboy1919) August 17, 2022
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As the above reactions suggest, while some fans can’t imagine a duo of Kobe and Dirk, some are taking digs at Kobe for his faithfulness. Interestingly enough, Bryant almost joined the Bulls in a similar fashion to the Mavs deal.
via Getty
Lakers Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal sit on the bench with foul trouble against the Timberwolves in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center Monday. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Bryant’s relationship with Shaquille O’Neal was deteriorating every moment, and he asked for a trade to the Bulls. However, the Lakers decided to keep Bryant and trade Shaq instead. O’Neal joined the Miami Heat while Bryant continued for the Lakers.
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What is your favorite memory of Kobe Bryant?
