The Phoenix Suns in the Kobe Derby

The Phoenix Suns apparently want to trade Shawn Marion, or at least they would be willing to trade the guy some say is their true MVP because of his unhappiness with his role.

The Los Angeles Lakers announced they would be willing to listen to an offer for Kobe Bryant.

I don't think for a second that the Lakers would strengthen the Suns and help the Suns win a championship with Kobe.

Right now, a Marion and Barbosa for Kobe trade would have to at least intrigue the Lakers, especially if they feel they have to trade Kobe. The best rumor is the Bulls giving up three or four players, but they insist Luol Deng is unavailable. Without Deng, that leaves Ben Gordon and Tyrus Thomas as the centerpieces of any deal. I think Marion and Barbosa is a much better deal, as Barbosa is a more consistent player than Gordon and Thomas is hoping to one day become Matriz-like; why not take the real thing right now?

This summer, I criticized the Suns for their handling of the last two drafts. However, with Kobe available, imagine if the Suns had held onto Sergio Rodriguez and the rights to Rudy Fernandez. The Suns could have stashed Rodriguez in Europe for another year, so he did not add to their payroll last season. And, they could offer both along with Marion and Barbosa to the Lakers in a deal that probably could not be topped.

The Lakers would have a young core (Bynum, Turiaf, Crittendon, Rodriguez, Fernandez, Barbosa) to build around for the future and two versatile veteran forwards to belnd with the youth. They would have a couple players with winning mentalities (Fernandez, Rodriguez) and a new fan base in Spain.

Potentially, they could acquire four starters for Kobe, though I imagine Barbosa would continue his sixth man role. While the Suns would certainly have the goods for a championship run with Nash, Bell, Kobe and Amare, the Lakers would be an improved team:
PG: Rodriguez, Crittendon
SG: Fernandez, Barbosa
SF: Marion, Walton
PF: Odom, Turiaf, Cook
C: Bynum, Brown

That is a big, long athletic, fun team. They lack a true superstar to fill the Kobe void, but Odom and Marion would be freed to step out of the shadows and prove they are number one players and can lead a team deep in the play-offs, and Fernandez would have the opportunity to prove he is the star everyone believes he will be.

Maybe the trade would never have happened. However, Phoenix likely killed its opportunity to acquire Kobe when it traded Fernandez for $3 million this summer. Phoenix has taken a short term view since Bryan Colangelo departed, and this may be the squandered opportunity.