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Kobe Bryant confirms he vetoed trade to Pistons

By Dan Feldman

Dec 2, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Caron Butler (31) guards Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) during the game at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Caron Butler (31) guards Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) during the game at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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We already believed the Lakers and Pistons agreed to a Kobe Bryant trade in 2007, reportedly with Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Amir Johnson and a first-round pick going to Los Angeles.

Kobe confirmed he used his no-trade clause to veto a trade to Detroit.

Kobe on The Grantland Basketball Hour:

"I said, “I gave you a list of teams I’m comfortable being traded to. That wasn’t one of them. So, no.”"

The Pistons would have much better off with Kobe, who led the Lakers to a couple titles after that. Meanwhile, Hamilton and Prince declined, and Joe Dumars practically gave away Amir Johnson.

But Kobe earned his no-trade clause, and he had every right to use it here. As much fun as it would have been to have him in Detroit – and my opinion of Kobe is probably less favorable than the average NBA observer – he clearly made the right choice.

That just left Dumars to chase a star elsewhere.

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