 |
 |
 |
Where will Kobe Bryant be traded this year?
By Jordan WaltersWagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
San Jose, Costa Rica, Oct. 19, 2007 -- It now seems more a matter of when than if Kobe Bryant will be traded by the Los Angeles Lakers, and WagerWeb.com offers the best odds on where he will land.
Bryant had a well-known trade demand in the offseason -- not to mention a video where he rips the Lakers that was all over the Internet, where Bryant says to fans: "Get a Bulls jersey" and "Dr. Buss is an idiot." Kobe knows the mediocre Lakers can't contend for an NBA title, something he desperately wants to win outside of Shaquille O'Neal's shadow.
While that offseason episode seemingly had passed and Bryant looked set to stay in L.A., Lakers owner Jerry Buss recently said he "would certainly listen" to offers for his unhappy superstar.
"At any time, I think you have to do that with anybody," Buss said. "It's just part of the game, to listen to somebody who has a dissatisfied player that you think is going to fit. ... You can't keep too many loyalties. You've got to look at it as a business. He looks at it the same way I look at it."
Buss wasn't afraid to dump an unhappy Shaq, so you can bet that statement punched Bryant's ticket out of Los Angeles. In fact, there were even rumors this week that the two-time NBA scoring champion had already cleaned out his locker, although those proved to be false.
So, whill there be a Kobe Bryant trade? Here are Kobe's most likely destinations, and remember he has a no-trade clause:
Chicago (2-1 WagerWeb.com odds to land Kobe): This is by far the best match for Los Angeles. Kobe clearly wants to play in Chicago, and he has enough drive and ego to want to rule the same city that Michael Jordan once did. The Bulls have several young players to satisfy the Lakers' needs in Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah, and sending Bryant to the Eastern Conference is something you can bet Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak wants to do.
Dallas (3-1 WagerWeb.com odds): The Mavericks have an owner who isn't afraid to make a splash in Mark Cuban and could potentially offer reigning MVP Dirk Nowitzki in a deal for Kobe. More likely is a package built around Josh Howard and Jason Terry. Dallas reportedly is No. 2 on Kobe's wish list after Chicago.
Phoenix (4-1 WagerWeb.com odds): The Lakers probably would take Amare Stoudemire and a No. 1 pick for Kobe, but it's doubtful the Suns would give up their only big man. A package built around Shawn Marion is a possibility.
Detroit (8-1): The Pistons are likely to stick with their group for another title shot, plus they don't have the star-quality player who the Lakers would demand. Detroit is built around veterans who fit a system, so this likely isn't a fit.
Elsewhere (3-2): Leaders in this pack would be the Washington Wizards (for Gilbert Arenas), Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers and Atlanta Hawks. You can never count out the New York Knicks, either.
The NBA season tips off on Oct. 30.
Here is a list of the different NBA Odds currently offered on Kobe Bryant:
Will Kobe Bryant be traded before 12/31/07?
|
Yes |
3:2 |
+$150 |
*Risk $100 to win $150 |
|
No |
1:2 |
-$200 |
*Risk $200 to win $100 |
If Kobe is traded before 12/31/07, where will he go?
|
|
2:1 |
+$200 |
*Risk $100 to win $200 |
|
|
3:1 |
+$300 |
*Risk $100 to win $300 |
|
|
4:1 |
+$400 |
*Risk $100 to win $400 |
|
|
8:1 |
+$800 |
*Risk $100 to win $800 |
|
Elsewhere |
3:2 |
+$150 |
*Risk $100 to win $150 |
What will be outcome of Kobe's 2007-2008 season?
|
He will average over 31.5 pts per game |
5:6 |
-$120 |
*Risk $100 to win $120 |
|
He will average under 31.5 pts per game |
5:6 |
-$120 |
*Risk $100 to win $120 |
|
He will average over 5 assists per game |
5:6 |
-$120 |
*Risk $100 to win $120 |
|
He will average under 5 assists per game |
5:6 |
-$120 |
*Risk $100 to win $120 |
|
He will average over 5.5 rebs. per game |
5:6 |
-$120 |
*Risk $100 to win $120 |
|
He will average under 5.5 rebs. per game |
5:6 |
-$120 |
*Risk $100 to win $120 |
|
His team will not make the playoffs |
4:1 |
+$400 |
*Risk $100 to win $400 |
|
He will be named the NBA MVP |
5:1 |
+$500 |
*Risk $100 to win $500 |
|
He will be named the All-Star MVP |
5:1 |
+$500 |
*Risk $100 to win $500 |
|
He will get divorced |
5:1 |
+$500 |
*Risk $100 to win $500 |
|
He will win the NBA finals MVP |
8:1 |
+$800 |
*Risk $100 to win $800 |
|
His team will win the NBA Championship |
10:1 |
+$1000 |
*Risk $100 to win $1000 |
About WagerWeb
WagerWeb.com, founded in 1997, is a privately held, offshore online gaming company, fully licensed and located in San Jose, Costa Rica. With almost 10 years of experience, innovation and gaming technology, Wagerweb.com features a sportsbook, a racebook and casino and has accepted more than 50,000,000 wagers since the company's launch.
