Kobe is one of the most talented guys in the NBA (I rank Lebron ahead of him), but I rather establish a team than a have a top 3-5 player...unless its Nash, Duncan, Howard, Lebron, Garnett or one of the elite PG's of Deron or Paul.
I would put Kobe #2 on the list after Duncan (2 MVPs AND 3 championships), because he is the only guy who turns it on at both ends of the floor... and who has a killer instinct... Lebron's D isn't there... DHoward isn't there yet... Nash's D is suspect... Garnett is not a closer...
I would give up Frye, Steph (preferably Francis), Balkman and Malik for Kobe, Chris Mihm/Kwame and a draft pick
Frye and Balkman are young guys with upside
Francis/Steph provides veteran point guard leadership
Malik's contract expires at the end of the year...
The Knick Lineup would then be:
Crawford/Steph, Kobe, Qrich, DLee, Curry
Morris, Crawford/Franchise, Robinson, Kwame/Mihm, Collins
Jarred Jeffries, Jerome James
We would obviously need to draft a big small forward to go with this new team, but with Kobe, there is no way teams double or triple EC... we would present matchup problems for most teams we face... we would probably win a championship by 2009 with this squad...
Losing Frye and Lee sucks, but adding a top 2 guys is worth it... this squad would contend with Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago for the top spot in the East... it leapfrogs us passed Washington, Jersey and Orlando...
exciting times... although this trade works for both teams... I don't think the Lakers are gonna move him until next year's trading deadline... trying to field good offers...