Devin Booker and Kobe Bryant (Photo : Twitter)
Kobe Bryant is about to play his last two games after 20 seasons all with one team, the LA Lakers.
The feat is more than remarkable, it's a rarity especially with the way the league is now. There are 29 other teams and even the Lakers have had its highs and lows. Team loyalty is not so much of a priority anymore so to stay in just one franchise through 20 years should count for something.
The franchise has invested in Bryant and it is no surprise that Kobe is also concerned about their future without him, and as always, he is not afraid to speak his mind.
While that is almost always taken in a negative light, Kobe is just as expressive when complimenting one's game, even that of opponents as he displayed in his last game in Phoenix when he gave Suns rookie Devin Booker signed shoes with the message "Be Legendary." He also spent ten minutes post game talking with the Kentucky standout.
Bryant shared his observations on Booker with AZ Central.
"I think he's fantastic," Bryant said. "I think he has the right attitude. He has the right competitive spirit. I think his footwork is extremely sound. His fundamentals are extremely sound. Now, it's just about him figuring out exactly what his game is and then he can go to that every single night and then make counters off of it but he has the skills."
If Kobe had his way, Booker would be wearing a different set of purple gear. Instead, Booker will torment Bryant's team as one of their historical rivals in the Pacific Division-depending on which bottom feeder gets to develop first.
How could the Lakers acquire Booker? The Suns already know he is a diamond in the rough and perhaps one of the rare positives of this dismal season. It's hard to imagine they would trade him.
A scenario in Real GM suggested that the Suns and the Lakers could make a trade involving Tyson Chandler-an aging defensive center that the Suns inked to a four-year contract in order to lure LaMarcus Aldridge. The plan failed and both Chandler and the Suns would rather move on their separate ways.
Phoenix has a young center in Alex Len and they would rather give him opportunities to develop. On the other hand the Lakers will probably let their starting center Roy Hibbert walk and while Chandler is not exactly what they hope for to fill the spot, his veteran presence can still be an asset for the young big men of the Lakers.
Still, the Lakers would be doing the Suns a favor by taking on such a contract. The Lakers would ask for Booker in return, and send an asset to the Suns. The trade suggestion had Lou Williams and the no.2 pick (if the Lakers get to keep it).
There is also the possibility that the Lakers would rather trade Jordan Clarkson instead of the no.2 pick. They want to pair Booker with D'Angelo Russell and if they secure the 2nd pick, it could be Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram.
For the Suns, it will depend on how much they want to get rid of Chandler because they do value Booker a lot. It is possible that they would refuse even the no.2 pick although Booker was only picked 13th (like Kobe) in last year's draft. The Lakers may have to give up serious assets and take on Chandler's contract for him.
