Kobe Bryant made NBA free agency request amid Shaquille O'Neal beef with Lakers

13 June 2023 , 20:41

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Kobe Bryant met with Jerry West on a potential trade in 2004

One of the greatest to ever do it, Kobe Bryant will always be remembered as a Los Angeles Lakers legend. However, he came close to walking away from the team after a highly-publicised feud with Shaquille O'Neal.

After winning three consecutive NBA championships, both Bryant and O'Neal looked to be at the peak of their powers - with the former stepping out of the latter's shadow and arguably becoming the better player.

Bryant began being compared to Michael Jordan after his third title, being a graceful scorer at shooting guard and becoming the ball-dominant player on the team.

O'Neal, though, would struggle to play in every game, with weight and injury issues seeing him play his way into shape during the season - something Bryant was critical about.

O'Neal was not pleased with Bryant openly being frustrated with this, which lead to him unhappy with his situation with the Lakers.

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But around that time, Bryant began secretly looking for moves himself - even telling a Lakers legend that he wanted to join the Memphis Grizzlies.

Jerry West, general manager of the Grizzlies at the time, stated that he met Bryant and his agent Rob Pelinka (who is now GM of the Lakers), with Kobe wanting to move to the team.

Speaking on the Podcast P with Paul George, West said: "I met [Kobe Bryant and Rob Pelinka] in a hotel room in Orange County. Kobe said he wanted to come to Memphis and play basketball."

Bryant played his entire career with the Lakers

It had been reported that Bryant was just as unhappy playing with O'Neal, and wanted to be the go-to man and have his own team. However, West surprisingly convinced Bryant not to join his team - and to stay in LA.

West said: "I looked at him and said, ‘Are you kidding me?' Don’t feel like you have any obligation with me or the Grizzlies to play here.”

Months later, O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat, with Bryant blossoming into an even bigger superstar with the Lakers. He went on to win two more NBA Championships alongside Pau Gasol - who had been on the Grizzlies in 2001, and who Bryant reportedly wanted to play with.

Bryant sadly passed away in 2020, with O'Neal admitting he'll always regret feuding with him.

Charlie Wilson