NBA GM on Kobe’s market value in trade: ‘Zero.’
Kobe Bryant is under contract with the Lakers for two more seasons and $48.5 million, a deal which he and the team were both widely criticized for agreeing to under the circumstances.
The thinking was that Bryant should have taken a far more substantial discount in the twilight of his career, in order for the team to have the cap space necessary to add enough talent around him so that L.A. could compete for a title in one of his final two years.
Instead, the Lakers repaid Bryant for his past contributions more than they did extend him for what his current market value would be. There is no scenario where L.A. would consider trading Bryant, and no scenario where he would want that to happen. But in the event something were to unexpectedly (and drastically) change between now and when Bryant chooses to retire, at least one GM believes that the Lakers wouldn’t have too many options.
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/08/24/nba-gm-on-kobes-market-value-in-trade-zero/