NBA Rumors: Lakers once called the Cavaliers about LeBron-for-Kobe deal

The Lakers and the Cavaliers nearly made a deal that would have shaken up the NBA in 2007. 

Especially when it comes to sports, you never want to look back and say “what if”, just like anything else in life. But under circumstances it’s okay to take a look back at something that might have happened, especially when it involves something the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers almost pulled off that would have legitimately rocked the sports world at the time.

According to an ESPN report, back in 2007 the Lakers got on the phone and contacted the Cavaliers about a deal, you know, something they’d probably done a few times before. However, this was not just any deal. No no, this was a specific deal that would have seen Kobe Bryant head to Cleveland in exchange for LeBron James.

Yep, Kobe for LeBron, straight up.

"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."

Now you have to remember that, at the time, Kobe was not the happiest in Los Angeles. This was right around the point where he was very frustrated with the organization and actively wanted out after capturing three titles with the team. Little did he know that he would eventually go on to win two more in the near future, but at that specific point in time, things were not looking all that rosy.

Of course, 2007 is also the time where it was becoming clearly evident to the Cavaliers that they only had a few more years left with LeBron before he would become a free agent following the 2010 season. They knew they were more than likely going to lose him anyway, which they eventually did to the Miami Heat where he would go on to win his first two NBA titles.

So when you think of it, which it would have been a blockbuster, given the situations of both men during that specific time period, it made all the sense in the world for the two organizations to sit down and talk about this.

What could have happened, huh? How would NBA history have changed if this went through?

Interestingly enough, these two will meet for the final time on Wednesday night as Kobe continues his retirement tour.