Until recently, the idea of Kobe joining the Pistons was almost an urban legend, but now it has been confirmed by NBA market expert Adrian Wojnarowski: the deal could have happened.
The story dates back to the summer of 2007, when Kobe Bryant was left frustrated by the inconsistency of the Lakers and was determined to move on. The agreement between Detroit and the Lakers’ management was practically finalized, but at the last minute, the player backed out.
The history of the NBA is full of “What if?” moments, instances where the course of events reached a crossroads. These moments occur not just on the court—between wins and losses, made or missed shots that defined the paths of teams and players—but also in the trade market.
Countless trades could have happened but fell through at the last minute. One such trade, which has fascinated fans for nearly twenty years, involves a basketball icon and one of the few players to have spent his entire career with the same team: the trade that would have sent Kobe Bryant to the Detroit Pistons. This near-mythical trade has now been confirmed by the foremost NBA market expert, Adrian Wojnarowski.
Kobe to the Pistons: The (Almost) Done Deal
Adrian Wojnarowski, particularly known for his Twitter presence, has long been the go-to source for real-time updates on NBA trades. On the podcast “Pardon My Take,” Wojnarowski was asked about the most sensational trade that fell through at the last minute. Without hesitation, he responded, “Kobe to the Pistons, it was practically done.”
The reference is to the much-talked-about trade during the 2007 offseason. At that time, Kobe Bryant, frustrated after two first-round playoff exits, had requested to leave the Lakers. “There was already an agreement with Detroit, which would have sent Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and some draft picks to Los Angeles,” Wojnarowski explained. “In the end, Kobe went to Lakers owner Jerry Buss’s house and backed out at the last minute.”
According to Wojnarowski, the Pistons weren’t the only team pursuing Bryant that summer; Chicago and Dallas also made unsuccessful attempts. Ultimately, the Pistons’ attempt fell through, and Kobe stayed with the Lakers, winning two more titles in 2009 and 2010 and finishing his career in Los Angeles in 2016.
