Kobe Bryant-Era Lakers Nearly Traded For Another Future Hall Of Famer

The Lakers could have looked way different in the Kobe Bryant era.

During the unveiling of the Kobe Bryant statue, current Los Angeles Lakers president Jeanie Buss revealed a huge story. During Bryant's prime years, then-president Jerry Buss was offered a staggering five players for Bryant. Naturally, Jerry said no, saying "Kobe was as rare as a flawless five-carat diamond."

Jeanie Buss reveals Lakers were once offered five players in exchange for Kobe Bryant.

The Lakers declined that offer. pic.twitter.com/dYSXFcOALF

— All Lakers - AllLakers.com (@thelakers248) February 8, 2024

Had the Lakers traded Bryant for five players, there is no telling what the team may have looked like. Even crazier is a former Laker and legendary NBA player just revealed that he was nearly traded to the team back in 2011 as well. 

Melo reveals the Lakers had a deal done to land him in 2011

"The deal was done with the Lakers. Me and Nenê for Lamar Odom and Bynum."

(Via @DwyaneWade / h/t @BasketballOnX )

pic.twitter.com/VCyeUGJRzs

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 20, 2024

"The deal was done with the Lakers. Me and Nenê for Lamar Odom and Bynum."

via Carmelo Anthony, The Why with Dwayne Wayde

Carmelo Anthony told Dwayne Wade that he was nearly traded to the Lakers. The deal would have been for Nenê and Anthony in exchange for Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum. 

The Lakers had secured their last championship in 2010 and were looking to repeat like they had in the early 2000s. The team did make the playoffs in the 2011 season but was swept by Dallas in the Conference semifinals. 

If Anthony and Nenê had been on the team that still had Bryant, Matt Barnes, Pau Gasol, and Derek Fisher, they might have run away with the championship. 

Anthony did get his chance to play with the Lakers in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, but he was nowhere near his prime like he was in 2011.