Would you trade Kobe for LeBron?

Tonight the Lakers play the Bulls, not much more to say about that except go Lakers!  Instead I have a simple question for today thanks to a thread I found on lakers.topbuzz.com: Would you like to see the Lakers pick up LeBron at the expense of losing Kobe?  Tough question, I know.  You can make strong arguments for both players, and the Lakers are dominant in the league with either of them leading the team this year.

With Kobe you get league MVP, clutch shooting, wicked defense and overall team leader; pretty nice resumé. Downside with Kobe is age. He’s old at 30 in the NBA.  I know many of you are probably thinking that isn’t so old, but let’s look at some current older players in the league; Robert Horry (38), Sam Cassell (39) – oh and happy b-day Sammy! – tell me those guys aren’t showing their age.  On the other hand Kobe is in great shape for his age and I can’t remember Kobe ever having an injury that has sidelined him for any real stretch. It seems like when this guy does get injured he plays right through it.

With LeBron you straight up get youth!  Ok he’s also a pretty good shooter and will provide great defense, but overall you get a player that has the makings to become the next Kobe and dare I say MJ.  But the facts are the facts, he is not any of those players yet.

For me the answer is simple I would veto the trade, because to make that trade you would have to be looking at only the future of the team and not the present.  Perhaps if the Lakers didn’t pick up Gasol last year, and considering they lost Bynum in a trade and were 3-5 this year; then maybe I would think about a trade like that.  But the Lakers this year aren’t in a rebuilding stage, they’re looking to take this team all the way to the championship and with that I say you gotta keep KOBE!

Tell me what you think by casting your vote now!

H/T: lakers.topbuzz.com