Kobe Bryant spent his entire two decade career with the Los Angeles Lakers before entering the Hall of Fame.
But according to NBA executive and Hall of Famer Jerry West, Bryant was once close to leaving the Lakers for the Memphis Grizzlies during free agency.
“I met [Kobe Bryant and Rob Pelinka] in a hotel room in Orange County… Kobe said he wanted to come to Memphis and play basketball,” West said while appearing on Podcast P with Paul George.
“I looked at him and said, ‘Are you kidding me?’ Don’t feel like you have any obligation with me or the Grizzlies to play here.”
West was the Grizzlies general manager from 2002 to 2007.
NBA fans reacted to the news on social media.
Imagine the Grizz drafted LeBron ‘03 then signed Kobe ‘04….oh what a dynasty it could have been https://t.co/JKgWW9xpXM
— Matt Perkins (@MattyP901) June 12, 2023
What GM tells Kobe Bryant not to come to his organization, what the hell https://t.co/3V5kYjB8eb
— Mike Lowry (@MikeLow11679869) June 12, 2023
Shouts out to Mr West https://t.co/A2dDdZnnGP
— Dhabitat (@johnnydahahabra) June 12, 2023
Some things are better left unsaid ???? https://t.co/BKDJKhzygY
— Parish Sharkey (@DaOne_PShark) June 12, 2023
During his NBA career, Bryant averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists on 45 percent shooting from the field and 33 percent from long distance.
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