Cleveland shut down its only offer for LeBron: Kobe Bryant in ’07

Those who worked in Cleveland’s front office remember it for one reason: It was the only time a team ever called to make an offer for James. “It was like I was a meal ticket”, Bryant told ESPN.

The two were never able to give the fans the ultimate gift of an NBA Finals matchup, but they did create some very memorable moments (and an entertaining puppet commercial series) during the brief period of time where they were wrestling for the top spot in the association.

James told ESPN.com that he believed the story, while Bryant says he would have turned down the deal.

Bryant was under contract for two more seasons, but was frustrated with the Lakers after three consecutive subpar seasons following the Shaquille O’Neal trade.

The Cavaliers declined the offer and deemed James untouchable, and while they offered any other player on their roster in exchange for Kobe, the Lakers weren’t interested. “It was Chicago, San Antonio [or] Phoenix”, Bryant said.

Even in 2003, when the Cavs won the draft lottery, the team’s front office figured it would get a “Godfather” offer or two to give up the No. 1 pick they planned to use on James.

James remained with the Cavaliers until 2010, when he left for the Miami Heat.

Before heading into their head-to-head showdown at Quicken Loans Arena on Wednesday night, Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James talked about what it has been like watching Kobe Bryant during his last season with the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron averaged 25 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists during that season and it was clear that he was the next big thing in the National Basketball Association. “Never. The trade to go to Cleveland?”

The Lakers were unable to get a deal done with the Bulls because Bryant didn’t approve of Luol Deng being included.

As the present now shows, a proposed trade between the L.A. Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers for Kobe Bryant and LeBron James didn’t happen. Never. That wasn’t one of the teams that was on my list. It was presented in the summer of 2007, and the Lakers did reach out to the Cavs about it, but it merely wasn’t meant to be.