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Los Angeles Clippers: History of Free Agent Delusion

By Allan Aguirre

Kobe Bryant and general manager Mitch Kupchak answer questions during a press conference held at the Lakers training facility in El Segundo, Calif.. Thursday, July 15, 2004. Bryant chose the Lakers over the Clippers, remaining with the team he joined in 1996 at age 18 and later helped win three NBA championships. (Photo by Steve Grayson/WireImage)
Kobe Bryant and general manager Mitch Kupchak answer questions during a press conference held at the Lakers training facility in El Segundo, Calif.. Thursday, July 15, 2004. Bryant chose the Lakers over the Clippers, remaining with the team he joined in 1996 at age 18 and later helped win three NBA championships. (Photo by Steve Grayson/WireImage) /
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Kobe Bryant and general manager Mitch Kupchak answer questions during a press conference held at the Lakers training facility in El Segundo, Calif.. Thursday, July 15, 2004. Bryant chose the Lakers over the Clippers, remaining with the team he joined in 1996 at age 18 and later helped win three NBA championships. (Photo by Steve Grayson/WireImage)
Kobe Bryant and general manager Mitch Kupchak answer questions during a press conference held at the Lakers training facility in El Segundo, Calif.. Thursday, July 15, 2004. Bryant chose the Lakers over the Clippers, remaining with the team he joined in 1996 at age 18 and later helped win three NBA championships. (Photo by Steve Grayson/WireImage) /

Kobe Bryant – 2004

The wheels completely fell off for the Shaq and Kobe Lakers dynasty during the 2003-2004 season. After losing in the finals to the Pistons, Kobe weighed his potential free agency options. He wanted Shaq traded or he was going to join the Clippers.

Kobe would have been a great addition to pair with All-Star Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, supplemented by prospects Chris Kaman and Shaun Livingston. Kobe wanted to be a Laker. But if Shaq was going to be there, Kobe did not want any part of it. He wanted to headline his own team and the Clippers offered an opportunity to join a team who despite not being very good at the time, could be elevated several tiers by a player of Kobe’s caliber.

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