Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are two of the biggest names the NBA has ever had, and there was an attempt to involve the pair in a trade back in 2007.
With the Lakers and Cavs facing each other Wednesday night, ESPN published a story discussing how Los Angeles wanted to move the Black Mamba for The King. According to Cavs executives, it was the only time the team had heard an offer for James.
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According to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the event, the Lakers once contacted the Cavs to investigate whether Cleveland would make James available in a possible Bryant trade.
Bryant, 28 at the time, came off a phenomenal season where he averaged 32 points a game. James, however, was 22 years old and an obvious up-and-coming star. The Cavs knew what they had, and shut the trade down without really even discussing it.
Even if for some reason Cleveland accepted the offer, Bryant wouldn't have done it.
"I never would've approved it," he told ESPN. "Never. The trade to go to Cleveland? Never."
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The veteran guard was open to a trade, however. It's been well-documented that he was being shopped around in 2007 after demanding a trade. He admitted last season that the Bulls were his No. 1 choice, and a deal was even being discussed, but obviously never finalized.
There was also a potential trade to the Pistons in '07. Los Angeles and Detroit had agreed on a deal but Bryant, who had a no-trade clause, shut it down.
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Eventually, everything worked out fine for Bryant and Los Angeles. He went on to win an NBA Championship for the franchise in 2009 and 2010, and will retire after playing 20 seasons in L.A.
