It’s no secret. Even though Kobe Bryant finished his illustrious career with the Los Angeles Lakers after 20 years, things weren’t always good in the City of Angels. From bickering with management or players, the Black Mamba wanted out a few times and shit almost went down.
Phil Jackson revealed one of those moments in an interview with Charley Rosen of Today’s Fastbreak. According to the legendary coach, back in the 1999-2000 season, Kobe talked to Jerry West about how he averaged more points a game (he was only averaging 19 at the time) and then asked to be traded. West told the Zen Master about their talk and said that the Detroit Pistons had an offer on the table. Grant Hill in exchange for Bryant.
“Kobe was only averaging about 19 points per game. So Kobe called Jerry West and wanted to know how Jerry and Elgin Baylor both averaged 30 points. Kobe also said that he wanted to be traded. Of course, Jerry told me about the conversation. And, for a few minutes I thought about taking the Pistons up on an offer they made to trade Kobe for Grant Hill. Make that a few seconds.”
Of course, Kobe didn’t get his way and the rest is history. He ended up winning five championship rings in two different eras with the Lakers and is going down as one of the most celebrated players the franchise has ever had. Most certainly in this generation.
Imagine if they would have gone through with the offer? Damn.
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