Thursday, January 03, 2002 - Think the Los Angeles Lakers would trade Kobe Bryant for Nick Van Exel?

Bryant has two NBA championship rings. Van Exel wears a scowl born of too many losses in Denver.

Van Exel couldn't find happiness with the Lakers. Bryant loves L.A.

Since arriving in Los Angeles as a teenager in 1996, Bryant and the Lakers have grown up to become the most dominating force in the league.

But the Lakers didn't give rise to the NBA's new dynasty until Van Exel bolted town for the Nuggets in 1998.

Who got the raw end of this deal?