Let me say to begin with that I’m a big fan of the WaPo and ESPN’s Michael Wilbon, have been since I was a wee child. Having said that, Mr. Wilbon was a tad inconsistent when the Kobe for Gilbert trade rumors were swirling a couple weeks ago. Here’s Wilbon in his column on Friday, November 2:
So, what’s next? If I was serious about trading Kobe I would call the Wizards about Arenas, who at 25 is four years younger than Kobe and much cheaper at the moment.
And if I ran the Wizards I’d say: Thanks, but no.
Start, as everything does, with the money. Arenas makes $11 million while Kobe makes $21 million, plus gets a 15 percent lump sum in a trade clause. So, the Wizards would have to include at least a couple of other players. Maybe Antawn Jamison or two of the younger players the Lakers probably aren’t interested in. Kobe loves Caron Butler, so he probably wouldn’t sign off on any deal (Kobe has to approve the trade) that would send Butler back to the Lakers, and the Wizards would be crazy to deal their best two players anyway. If the Wizards did that they’d be the Washington Lakers, a team with nothing more than Kobe.
Ok, so Wilbon doesn’t think the Wizards should trade Gil for Kobe. Or does he? Here’s Wilbon in WaPo chat he did earlier that same week:
Should be paying attention in class, Md.: Oh Mr. Wilbon! I’ve been surfing the Internet and I saw that there are rumors that the Wiz are considered a dark horse for Kobe. Gilbert for Kobe, is that really a good idea?
Michael Wilbon: I’d do it…Why not? Gilbert’s going to be a free agent soon enough anyway since he can opt out…So why not pursue Kobe? Ernie Grunfeld and Mitch Kupchak are friendly. That makes sense. Question is, what else would the Wizards have to give up? Would you do it for Gilbert and Jamison? I would NOT do it for Gilbert and Caron. Nope. But Gil and ‘Twan…As much as I like those guys and want to see what the team can produce this season, I’d do that. Yep.
Wait, what? Didn’t he say the exact opposite in his column? Now I know everyone has the right to change their mind but it would be nice if Mr. Wilbon would provide some reasoning as to why in the span of a few days he flip-flopped on this.
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