From ESPN’s Marc Stein:
The seemingly hard-to-picture prospect of Kobe Bryant and old nemesis Raja Bell playing for the same team remains alive.
The longtime rivals will sit down for a face-to-face chat Wednesday in Los Angeles to further discuss the feasibility of the Lakers signing Bell in free agency, sources close to the situation said.
Bell is traveling to Los Angeles this week to watch the ESPYs and has arranged to meet with Bryant to hear the Lakers’ face of the franchise make yet another recruiting pitch to the 33-year-old swingman.
For those who don’t remember the bad blood between Bell and Bryant, watch this. What’s interesting though is that Bryant is the one pursuing Bell and asking him to join the Lakers this season. Granted, the Lakers do not have a lot of money left over to sign Bell, but it could be an interesting mix for the defending champs.
No word yet if the Lakers will resign Shannon Brown; in theory Bell would replace Brown in the back court. Yes, I’m a fan of Shannon Brown’s dunks, but Bell despite his age would be a great improvement in terms of back court defense.
(Photo by Jeff Topping, Reuters)
(D.R.)
