Would trading Kobe Bryant be good for both Chicago and LA? It's an interesting question. I did some research to find out.

After navigating through many of the sports website's, many of them have come to similar conclusions about what it would take for Kobe to become a Chicago Bull. While I still am not sure I like the idea of Kobe in the red and black, it's still fun to speculate.

Most of the experts agree that it would take at least two of the Bulls young core to pry Kobe from the LA. It would also take at least one young prospect, one to two draft picks. At that point I think that it would take some salary cap throw ins.

Loul Deng, Ben Gordon, Tyrus Thomas, 2008 and 2009 1st round picks, and Viktor Kypria, Adrian Griffin, JamesOn Curry.

I am pretty sure that this deal would work under the CBA guidelines. The salaries have to be within 25 percent of each other. With JamesOn's contract, it's around 3,800,000. Loul and Ben are the cornerstones of this deal and would help LA stay competitive. Some experts say that Hinrich would be traded instead of Ben but I just don't see that. There is now way that Paxon would get rid of Hinrich and put Ben at PG, especially with Ben's lack of defense.

Tyrus Thomas and the draft picks would give LA a player for the future and flexibility to do some trades and Viktor, Adrian, and Curry are there for salary adjustment. If you're wondering why LA would want Viktor and Adrian, thy both have expiring deals. Surprisingly, this trade could actually end up doing both of the teams some good, let me explain.

Chicago first. The starting lineup would probably look something like the following.

PG-Kirk Hinrich

SG-Kobe Bryant

SF-Andres Nocioni

PF-Joe Smith

C-Ben Wallace

Not bad, very strong actually. The points are still going to come from the same spots as before, only a whole lot more consistent thanks to Bryant. Kirk's numbers will probably stay about the same and maybe improve. Kobe would command a double team whenever he posts up, leaving Kirk and Andres with good looks from the 3-point line. This also helps Smith, who is an excellent 17-18 foot jump shooter. The constant attention given to all of the other players would also leave Big Ben open for some shots under the rim. Defensively, this is still a very strong unit. Kirk would not have to worry about chasing around SGs as much because of the presence of Kobe. This would also keep teams from do what Detroit did in the playoffs, Kobe is a MUCH better defender than Ben Gordon. Every on knows that Andres is a hard nosed defender, and on nights when the Bulls play the Cavs, Kobe can guard LBJ. Joe Smith is decent 1 on 1defender, and a very good help defender. Ben Wallace is still Ben Wallace. Now for the Bulls bench.

G-Chris Duhon

G/F-Thabo Sefolosha

F/C-Joakim Noah

C-Aaron Gray

This would be where the Bulls would start to have trouble. One of the Bulls strengths is their depth. After the Kobe trade, there would not be very much of it. It's not all bad though. Chris Duhon is a better than average defender, doesn't turn the ball over, gets teammates involved and his 3pt percentage would probably improve thanks to Kobe. If the pre-season has shown us anything, it's that Noah is going to be a contributor this season. He plays hard defense, runs the floor, can pass the ball, and get boards. With Smith and Wallace as mentors and his own inner fire, I think that he'll be just fine. With the loss of Thomas, Gray would be forced to play more in relief of Ben Wallace, this is not a good thing but he has shown the ability to rebound and score around the basket. Thabo is the most important player on the team in this case. In moving Andres to the starting lineup, you lose a very versatile 6th man. Thabo has the talent to replace some of that. He is an excellent defender who can cover three positions. It's his offense that means the most though. He has the talent to PG, SG, and SF. Skiles can still use his small lineup bye bringing in Thabo to replace Smith or Wallace and move Andres to PF. If you replace Wallace, imagine how much space Kobe has with Kirk, Andres, Thabo and Smith. Who do you leave open? Thabo that who. Which is why in this case it's important that Thabo improve his perimeter shooting. If he does, you can figure that Thabo would average around 10-12 ppg considering the burn he would get, and the Bulls ability to run.

This team would easily be good for 50 wins in the East. After that, your guess is as good as mine.

Now for the Lakers. This is what their starting lineup could look like.

PG-Derek Fisher

SG-Ben Gordon

SF-Loul Deng

PF-Lamar Odom

C-Andrew Bynum

The triangle offense relies on ball movement and players with a high basketball IQ. Odom would be the primary ball handler in this offense given his ability to pass and handle the ball. He would also be option number one. Fisher is more of a fill in until Crittenton is ready to take over full time, but he can knock down open shots and play some defense and not turn the ball over. Ben will do what he does best, knock down his open looks, which will increase because of the post presence of Odom, go to the basket and occasionally do a Kobe impression and carry the team on offense. Andrew Bynum will continue to develop, but he will have less pressure to win because of the increased firepower LA now has. So he will provide excellent ball movement get rebounds and play defense. Loul Deng will play excellent defense on the opposing teams best perimeter threat, grab rebounds, block shots, and cause havoc in general defensively. On offense he will knock down mid-range jumpers, put the ball on the floor and move the ball.

Now for the bench, which now is really deep.

G-Javaris Cittenton

SF-Luke Walton

PF-Vladimir Radmonavic

F-Tyrus Thomas

C-Kwame Brown

C-Chris Mihm

To be sure the Lakers would have much more than this, but these are the players that figure to get a majority of the playing time. Flexibility is the key here. Crittenton has the size to play PG and SG. He is a good ball handler and can get other people involved. Defense could be a problem, but he is a rookie so that's to be expected. Deng, Gordon, and Odom allow you to bring in Walton to relieve anyone. Deng can play SF, SG, and even PF in a small ball lineup. Gordon can slide between SG and PG. Despite popular belief, Gordon is not selfish and can get other people involved. Odom can play PF, SF, and center in a small ball lineup, but only for short periods. Walton can hit open jumpers, move and handle the ball and direct others to the proper spots. He knows the triangle very well and would be instrumental in teaching the new players. No one is going to leave Vlad open to double team someone else. Tyrus Thomas provides energy, defense, blocks, steals and the big plays that will get the team and crowd into the game. On offense he provides dunks, the ability to get to the line and in the preseason has shown a consistent 15 foot jumper. Chris Mihm provides defense, low post scoring, and 40 games per year. Kwame Brown has everything that you want in a center except the drive to better himself.

This Lakers team would have a lot of firepower. They have the pieces to score on the run and in the half court. How many wins would they get? Would they make the playoffs? I don't know. I believe that they could make the playoffs, but that's not important right now. What's important is the trade assets that they now have. Several young talented players and two additional draft picks to barter with. In two years you could be looking at a very powerful team.

Even with all this speculation, I don't think that the Bulls would go for this trade. Paxon really likes his team and believes that they can win a championship.