NBA Trade Rumors: Kobe Bryant, Jordan Hill to Be Traded Before February Deadline?
The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a disastrous start this season, creating speculation that the team will eventually make big trades before the deadline in February.
Recent reports indicated that superstar guard Kobe Bryant will likely ask for a change of scenery if his teams fails to bounce back from its disappointing start this season, and Jordan Hill could also find himself changing uniform later in the 2014-15 NBA season.
Lakers executive president of basketball operations Jim Buss said he's aware of the talk about Bryant's uncertain future in Los Angeles, but as far as he is concerned, he's not planning to let the team's longtime superstar go.
"I love Kobe Bryant. I think LA loves Kobe Bryant," Jim told ESPN. "I don't envision him going anywhere. I don't see it."
On the other hand, Lakers president Jeanie Buss echoed her brother's statement, saying she does not want to trade Bryant but added that there are things that are out of their control.
"I don't want to see Kobe Bryant leave," Jeanie said. "But we understand the realities of the sports world. Take Shaq, for example. He was traded and played for several other teams. But once he retired, he asked us to retire his jersey. He wanted to be remembered as a Laker. So while I get attached, I know what the realities are in this business. It's never going to change what we've accomplished together."
Previous trade rumors suggested that Bryant will ask the Lakers to trade him to a title contender or to the New York Knicks, where he could reunite with former coach Phil Jackson, but the 19-year veteran reiterated that he is committed to the Lakers despite its struggles this season.
Aside from Bryant, Hill is also being mentioned in recent trade talks. According to Sporting News, the Lakers are getting calls for Hill, but there are no plans to trade the hardworking forward and consideration is being given to exercising the $9 million team option for next season.
Hill, who is playing in his sixth year in the league, is having the best season of his career, averaging 13.1 points to go along with 9.0 rebounds and 1.0 block in 30.4 minutes per game.
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