Kobe Bryant Considered Joining New York Knicks

In a recent podcast, Adrian Wojnarowski revealed that Kobe Bryant once believed he would end up playing for the New York Knicks rather than finishing his career with the Los Angeles Lakers. During a discussion, Bryant expressed his conviction that the Lakers would use the amnesty clause on him, allowing him to sign with the Knicks. Wojnarowski reassured Bryant that such a decision was unlikely, citing the immense backlash it would provoke from Lakers fans. Despite his loyalty to the Lakers, Bryant fantasized about the possibility of playing at Madison Square Garden, a sentiment echoed by Carmelo Anthony, who noted that it was a frequent topic of conversation between them. This hypothetical scenario highlights a significant “what if” in basketball history, as Bryant ultimately spent his entire 20-year career with the Lakers. Fans of both teams are left to wonder how different the landscape of the NBA might have been had Bryant donned Knicks colors.