NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Eye Chris Paul Trade; Kobe Bryant Recruits All-Star to Guide D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson

By Mitch de Leon
Kobe Bryant Surpasses Michael Jordan in Points
Kobe Bryant Surpasses Michael Jordan in Points

The Los Angeles Lakers have taken center stage for some reasons this NBA season. The issues ranged from the Kobe Bryant retirement announcement and tour to the rift between D'Angelo Russell and Nick Young, which went on to endanger the latter's engagement with Iggy Azalea. Although the Los Angeles Lakers failed to get in the NBA playoffs 2016, it looks like the basketball team is not yet done hogging the spotlight. Reports are now circulating that the exit of the Black Mamba might mean the entry of another big name in the NBA into the Los Angeles Lakers roster.

The Kobe Bryant retirement tour brought out some interesting stories about the Black Mamba and his long career in the NBA. In addition to inspiring stories from Chicago Bulls' Pau Gasol, Houston Rockets' Dwight Howard and Charlotte Hornets' Jeremy Lin, the 20-year veteran managed to win the hearts of even his toughest competitors including San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan, OKC's Kevin Durant, and Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade. However, it looks like Bryant is not yet done giving back to his beloved Los Angeles Lakers. Rumor has it that the Black Mamba is looking into convincing Chris Paul to mentor D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and other young stars on the roster.

"I knew how competitive he was, and I knew it would be a perfect fit," said Bryant of Paul, looking back to the time when he and the current Los Angeles Clippers star almost became teammates in the Los Angeles Lakers roster. The Black Mamba added, "We just talked about what we're going to do, how we're going to scheme to get things done. Unfortunately, it never happened."

Paul also commented, "It was crazy. It was exciting. We talked about potentially being teammates and all that stuff like that. Then, in the blink of an eye, gone." The deal, which got the rest of the NBA community incredibly thrilled, was later on halted by David Stern. The then NBA commissioner refused to elaborate on his decision to the public and only disclosed that the deal was axed due to "basketball reasons."

"Things would've been very, very, very different around here with two of the most competitive people the league has ever seen," said Bryant of the failed team up.

With Bryant now exiting the Los Angeles Lakers and CP3 reportedly looking for his last hoorah in the NBA, will the Los Angeles Lakers ever seen the Clippers star don their gold and purple jersey? At the moment, the Byron Scott squad has nothing but young stars. Will Chris Paul be the veteran replacement for Kobe Bryant?

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