The chatter is the Lakers should consider trading Kobe Bryant to avoid losing him for nothing in free agency.
Bryant has sent mixed signals.
In the most recent ESPN the Magazine, Bryant said he could depart the Lakers after this season. "There's a possibility I could leave," Bryant said. "There are a lot of reasons why."
But then Bryant held an impromptu soul-baring session with the New York media. In the process, he thanked the organization and his teammates for their support as he faces a felony sexual-assault charge in Colorado.
"You know what, the organization (has) been very supportive, as far as making sure everything runs smoothly," Bryant said. "The players, even though they don't have to show support, they have. They've all just rallied around me, from throwing cameras out of the way to making sure everything goes as smoothly as possible with me and fans and media, whatever. And I really appreciate that."
Owner Jerry Buss has said he will not trade Bryant, and with good reason. Bryant will have few favorable options outside of a return to the Lakers, assuming he is acquitted of sexual assault.
Utah is the only team that will have enough room beneath the salary cap to give Bryant the $14.175-million the Lakers can pay in the first year of his new contract, and two others, Denver and the Clippers, will be able to start Bryant at $11-million to $12-million, depending on the new salary-cap figure. San Antonio may have about $8-million of cap room.
The Clippers may be a possibility if Bryant is willing to give up the extra money the Lakers can pay, but his most appealing option will be a sign-and-trade deal. Memphis would headline a huge list of suitors; its president, Jerry West, the former Lakers architect, remains close with Bryant. But Bryant must convince the Lakers he is willing to go to one of the four teams before they would entertain a deal.
In the likely event the Lakers call Bryant's hand, there could be more feuds with Shaquille O'Neal, and more titles, too.
MOURNING, A NET LOSS: New Jersey coach Byron Scott calls Alonzo Mourning "an inspiration to us all." Aaron Williams, who will share the center spot with Jason Collins, said Mourning will be with the Nets all season.
Mourning's retirement because of kidney disease could serve as an emotional tether for a New Jersey team that has struggled.
But the decision to sign Mourning will cost the Nets, a team without deep pockets. New Jersey must pay the entire $22.6-million on Mourning's four-year contract because his pre-existing kidney situation made insurance impossible. Factor in the luxury tax, and Mourning will cost the Nets $32.9-million.
Add the $27-million for Dikembe Mutombo's buyout, and the Nets are out $60-million for two centers no longer on their roster.
BODY ARTISTS: There is no consensus on who has the best tattoos in the league, but some players think it is Cherokee Parks of Golden State.
"I used to look at his tattoos every day on the bench," Jeff McInnis, Parks' former Clippers teammate, said in In the Paint: Tattoos of the NBA and the Stories Behind Them by Andrew Gottlieb (Hyperion, 2003). "I think he's got the greatest tattoos."
Parks said he had "around 20." The most noted is on his right arm - the Statue of Liberty with smoke in the background - but the one that may appeal most to players is on his lower leg. Called "Danger Girl," it depicts a naked woman peeking out from behind tropical vegetation.
"It means, "Be cautious,"' Parks said in the book. "She looks good lying there in the bushes with the flowers, but watch out."
AROUND THE RIM: Look for LeBron James' new Air Zoom Generation shoes to get a big Christmas push from Nike. NBA greats Julius Erving, Jerry West, Moses Malone and George Gervin recently were in Cleveland for a commercial shoot. Comedian Bernie Mac also was there. ... The move to the front office hasn't relieved the stress during games for former Miami coach Pat Riley. "I've broken three televisions, thrown four books, and my desk ... has four hoof prints on it," he said. ... Udonis Haslem, who was 275 pounds as a freshman at Florida, is down to 228 and is snaring 8.1 rebounds a game as a rookie for the Heat.
- Information from the Dallas Morning News and the New York Times was used in this report.
