On a recent episode of The Big Podcast with Shaquille O’Neal (YouTube link) former principal owner of the Dallas Mavericks Mark Cuban spoke about the NBA GOAT debate and Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant. Initially, O’Neal made it clear that he is unhappy when fans leave his former Los Angeles Lakers teammate out of the conversation. After asking Cuban why he thinks that is, the Pittsburgh native said he was unsure. Shortly after, Cuban shifted the conversation, revealing to O’Neal that the Mavericks were “close” to trading for Bryant in 2007.
Mark Cuban reveals Kobe Bryant almost became a Dallas Maverick in 2007 😳
Could you imagine Kobe and Dirk in Dallas?
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“It was literally this close, I talked to Jerry Buss and worked something out… cause Kobe had asked to leave… It was going to be Josh Howard and Jason Terry and picks and no Dirk [Nowitzki], because I said ‘anybody but Dirk’… I literally thought it was done,” Cuban said. “And then Mitch Kupchak obviously stepped up and said ‘we can’t do this,” talked Kobe out of it, and the rest is history.”
Dallas Mavericks Were ‘Close’ to Landing Hall of Famer in 2007
The Dallas Mavericks and Kobe Bryant in 2007
In May 2007, Bryant had requested a trade from the Lakers. At the time, the Lakers had finished with a 42-40 record and lost to the Phoenix Suns in a five-game series in the first round. Just three years prior, the Lakers had traded O’Neal to the Miami Heat, where he would win his fourth championship in 2006. During this time, the Lakers failed to build a good enough roster around Bryant to compete for a championship, ultimately leading to him requesting a trade.
As for the Mavericks, despite finishing the 2006-07 campaign with a 67-15 record, they lost to the Golden State Warriors in the first round. This was one year after they lost to the Heat in the NBA Finals. Dallas had a great team around Nowitzki. However, it was clear they were open to adding a major player like Bryant to help them win their first NBA championship at the time. They would go on to defeat the Heat in a rematch in 2011 to win their first title in franchise history.
Nearly two decades later, more information has come to light about which teams had interest in the 2008 MVP. Most notably, the Detroit Pistons were close to a deal that would have landed them Bryant. In exchange, the Lakers reportedly would have received Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton. Ultimately, nothing came of Bryant’s trade request. In February 2008, the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies. That season, the Lakers met the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals but lost in a six-game series. They would, however, win a championship in each of the next two seasons.
The Last Word On Kobe Bryant
If what Cuban said is true, it is certainly an interesting development. Bryant would eventually play the remainder of his 20-year career in Los Angeles. Imagining him in another NBA jersey is a difficult task. However, if the Mavericks had acquired Bryant in 2007, it would have caused a major domino effect around the league. The Mavericks likely would have won their first championship sooner. Furthermore, pairing Bryant and Nowitzki together, both in their prime, could have led to a Mavericks dynasty.
Nonetheless, it is all hypothetical at this point. Fast forward 17 years later, the Lakers and Mavericks are in interesting positions. The Mavericks are fresh off their first NBA Finals appearance in a decade. Los Angeles, on the other hand, is heading into the 2024-25 season with first-time head coach JJ Redick. Furthermore, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers are looking to reach the NBA Finals once again.
