Isiah Thomas will be competing against 28 other teams for free agent Kobe Bryant this July, so odds aren't good. But the Los Angeles Times reported yesterday some of Bryant's Laker teammates have bets he'll wind up with the Knicks.
Thomas has told confidants he will make a strong pitch for Kobe, a Philly native who may want back to the East Coast.

One thing that makes it not so unfathomable is Phil Jackson may have interest in Allan Houston in a sign-and-trade - the only way this deal can happen.

In a recent publication, former CBA coach/author/Jackson buddy, Charlie Rosen, wrote about the Kobe situation and mentioned how Houston would fit perfectly in Jackson's triangle offense. Rosen is one of Jackson's closest friends. He was an assistant under Jackson with the Albany Patroons in the 1980's.

So it's food for thought, especially with Houston's max salary commensurate with what Kobe's seeking. Of course, the Lakers would only do it if they thought they'd lose Kobe to an under-the-cap outfit such as Phoenix without compensation. The Lakers still would probably want another decent player from the Knicks, say Kurt Thomas, with the Lakers giving up back an additional bad contract.