Kobe-LeBron Teammates? Lakers, Cavs Had a Trade Talk, Two Superstars Would've Been a Tandem

Back in 2007 and unbeknownst to a lot of NBA fans, the Los Angeles Lakers made a call to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a potential blockbuster swap between two of their prized superstars.

The Cavs, however, wasn't about to part ways with their main guy who, at that time, just brought them to an NBA Finals. They decided to make a counter offer for Kobe Bryant in a trade package not involving LeBron James.

Had the Lakers decided otherwise, Kobe and LeBron would have gone down as arguably the best dynamic duo in history of the game.

"There is another piece of history the two share, one mostly hidden until now. 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," wrote ESPN Senior Writer Brian Windhorst.

It was, in fact, the Los Angeles star who would turn out to be a Laker for life, who initiated the idea of being traded. Bryant expressed his displeasure at that time over what he believes is inaction on the part of the Lakers' front office in terms of building a team that could really contend for championships.

He claimed that it was enough for the management that his enormous appeal from fans are selling tickets to the game, and it seemed like they were unwilling to spend more for additional vital cogs. And given the Black Mamba's competitive spirit, he demanded for help, especially after the loss of Shaquille O'Neal who was also instrumental in the team's previous success in the NBA Finals.

"At that time, the Lakers had to do something. I was just losing faith in what they were trying to do. It was like I was a meal ticket," Bryant told ESPN's Baxter Holmes. "You come out and score 40, 50 points, fill the seats, we're going to keep the payroll at a minimum, generate revenue. It's like, look, listen, I am not with that, dude. I have to win without Shaq. I've got to do it. We've got to do something."

During the time, James was only 22 years old, but has already emerged as one of the most powerful forces to be reckoned with around the league, Yahoo Sports noted. Everyone, at that time, were already convinced of the greatness of the Cavs superstar, and putting a big name like Kobe Bryant on the other end of a potential trade equation is just commensurate.