Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Rumors: Cavs Considered Trading LeBron For Kobe In 2007; Kings Reject Cavs' Offer For Timofey Mozgov
The Cleveland Cavaliers were apparently in the middle of a blockbuster deal in 2007, when they intended to trade LeBron James for Kobe Bryant.
In a report by Brian Windhorst for ESPN, the Lakers reportedly got in touch with the Cavaliers' team management during the said year to see if there would be a possibility to come up with a trade involving the two NBA superstars.
Windhorst adds that during the time, the then 28-year-old Bryant was coming off an impressive season where he averaged 32 points per game, and put up 46% shooting from the field. He also had three NBA championships under his belt.
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It was also a time when Bryant was 'frustrated' with how the team was performing, as it was just after Shaquille O'Neal had been released from the roster.
James, however, was just 22 years old at the time, but was averaging 25 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists during the Cavaliers' playoff run during the said season. He was also able to lead the Cavaliers to an NBA Finals, but fell short against the San Antonio Spurs.
"Those who worked in Cleveland's front office remember it for one reason: It was the only time a team ever called to make an offer for James. He was considered the ultimate untouchable. Frankly, until that time, so was Bryant," an excerpt of Windhorst's report reads.
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings reportedly rejected the Cavaliers' offer for big man Timofey Mozgov. In a report by SBNation.com's Sactown Royalty, the Cavaliers' exact offer for Mozgov was not specified.
However, given the Kings' already deep frontline consisting of DeMarcus Cousins, Willie Cauley-Stein and Kosta Koufus, the addition of Mozgov is believed to have not much impact on the roster, making it an impractical deal to make.
For the current season, the 29-year-old Mozgov has played in 49 games so far and is averaging 6.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.5 assists, and 0.7 blocks, through 17.5 minutes of playing time per game.
