Mark Cuban reveals Dallas Mavericks were interested in Kobe Bryant in 2007 – NBA Update
Kobe Bryant has been the face of the Los Angeles Lakers for nearly a decade and in recent years; he has been the many carrying the franchise into the playoffs successfully. But, there was a time in his career when he showed intent
of leaving Hollywood.
Back in 2007, Bryant had become frustrated with the Lakers managements failure to put key pieces around him required to bring in another NBA Championship. And if Mark Cuban is to be believed, the Black Mamba almost became a Dallas
Maverick in the summer of 2007.
The Lakers were in constant talks with Mavericks owner, who at the time was taking part in the reality show ‘Dancing with the Stars’ but did take time out to be involved in the trade conversation.
In a recent interview to ESPN radio in Dallas, Cuban acknowledged the fact that the prospect of Bryant playing for the Mavericks was almost accomplished until the player had a change of heart and decided to remain in Hollywood.
“When I was doing Dancing with the Stars, I was taking breaks because I was talking to Kobe’s agent because Kobe wanted to get traded,” Cuban said “Literally, between Dancing with the Stars practices I had thought we traded for
Kobe Bryant. I even talked to their owner and thought we were going to have done deal, and [Lakers GM] Mitch Kupchak changed [Kobe’s] mind and brought him back.”
Cuban insisted that he would never have traded away Dirk Nowitzki for Bryant which in all possible outcomes seems to be the only move the Lakers would have been interested in.
The situation eventually worked out very well for the Lakers as they landed Pau Gasol in the following year – a trade which brought them back to back Championships and one NBA Finals loss to the Boston Celtics.
On the other hand, Mavericks were finally able to get their first ever NBA Championship in 2011 courtesy of Nowitzki’s astounding individual performances.
One however has to wonder about the possibilities, had Cuban managed to put together Kobe and Nowitzki on the same roster. That is something we will never know.
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