Kobe Bryant Was Almost A Detroit Piston? Here’s what happened…
In the wake of Kobe Bryant’s shocking death in a helicopter crash just outside of Los Angeles on yesterday, memories poured in across the sports world and from fans.
One of those memories was the time that Kobe was almost traded to the Pistons. As originally reported by WXYT-AM (1270) in 2007, the Lakers agreed to trade Bryant to the Pistons for Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Amir Johnson and a first-round pick.
Bryant said in 2015 he used his no-trade clause to kill the deal.
At the time, the Pistons denied the rumor, but it regained life in a 2013 Yahoo Sports profile on the death of former Lakers owner Jerry Buss.
The profile confirmed the original report of Bryant to the Pistons. The Free Press also confirmed it in 2015. “It hit me that I didn’t really want to walk out on Dr. Buss,” Bryant told Yahoo Sports.
Bryant and the Lakers went on to win the NBA title in 2009 and 2010.
Kobe Bryant rest in peace. @kobebryant pic.twitter.com/hEm2o1c7uu
— LUQMAAN (@Blacksweet548) January 27, 2020
Could you imagine if Kobe played Deeeeeetrrroooittt basketball!?
Source: Detroit Free Press
