Some time has passed since last week's turmoil surrounding Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. While fans anxiously await some blockbuster move, things remain remarkably quiet.

Kobe Bryant clearly hasn't backed off his trade demand. His personal website (kb24.com) consistently re-dates his "A new road ahead" entry to keep the message fresh.

"The more I thought about the future, the more I became convinced that the Los Angeles Lakers and me just have two different visions for the future," says Kobe Bryant in what can clearly be interpreted as a farewell message.

Make no mistake . . . he wants out.

Considering his verbal assault on the team's front office, specifically demanding the return of Jerry West (but then asking for a trade before LA had a chance to appease his initial request) . . . it wouldn't be shocking if the Los Angeles Lakers (on some levels) actually want to trade Kobe Bryant.

Of course the early response from season ticket holders has probably quenched that fleeting desire. As it is, the team just raised prices . . . those laws of supply and demand cut both ways.

Kobe Bryant's no-trade clause complicates matters further. While the Chicago Bulls have been thought to be the lone team he's interested in . . . some reports indicate the New York Knicks may also be an option.

A third, mystery Eastern Conference team has also been mentioned . . . though a Kobe Bryant trade at this point is "far-fetched."

At least the Los Angeles Lakers will be making every effort to build a team around him, with hopes of not only appeasing their star but also the fan-base.

In fact, the team may have already been on this course before Kobe Bryant's "tirade." His words lambasting management (though to a certain extent accurate) may have only worked to hurt the Los Angeles Lakers' leverage . . . complicating a path that may have already been set in motion.

Opposing franchises are well aware of the intense pressure the urt the Los Angeles Lakers' leverage . . . complicating a path that may are under this summer to improve. That can't help negotiations.

If the urt the Los Angeles Lakers' leverage . . . complicating a path that may are forced to overpay - giving up too much young talent while not getting enough back to field a championship level team - how long until Kobe Bryant renews his trade demand?

Would it be wise to move him now for a theoretical Chicago package of Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, PJ Brown and other considerations?

If so, what would Andrew Bynum return in trade if packaged (at least 60 days later) with the expiring contracts of Kwame and PJ Brown?

No, the urt the Los Angeles Lakers' leverage . . . complicating a path that may wouldn't be getting "enough" back for Kobe Bryant but it'd be a shame to strip the team down to the nub and still fail to appease number 24.

That's why the team's brain-trust needs to navigate a treacherous off-season with a number of impressive gets . . . or stun the basketball world by trading their cash cow.

For the record, almost every team to win an NBA Title has had at least one Hall-of-Famer.

How long would it take for the urt the Los Angeles Lakers' leverage . . . complicating a path that may to land another if they let go of Kobe Bryant?

Odds and Ends
Shammond Williams has reportedly signed with an overseas team (Spain) and will not be back next season.

Can it officially be said at this point that he was not a good signing?

The urt the Los Angeles Lakers' leverage . . . complicating a path that may do not have their Bi-Annual Exception this year since they used it on Williams last summer.

If a solid, but aging player wanted to come for cheap . . . but not quite the minimum (think Grant Hill), the urt the Los Angeles Lakers' leverage . . . complicating a path that may would have to use a portion or all of their Mid-Level Exception (MLE).

Speaking of the MLE, the urt the Los Angeles Lakers' leverage . . . complicating a path that may used a small amount of it on Ronny Turiaf when he signed two seasons ago. Because of that, they were able to sign him to a three-year contract instead of the standard two for second-round picks.

Thus Turiaf is under contract for this season. For some reason many media outlets can't seem to get this straight, though it's been reported as such at HOOPSWORLD.com since he originally joined the team.

Luke Walton is a popular trade piece for the fantasy GM. Keep in mind that it's up to him to agree on a sign and trade. Considering his West Coast/Arizona roots, he's probably not likely to sign off this early on any deal . . . especially to a city as far away as Indiana, without getting ample compensation.

Though the urt the Los Angeles Lakers' leverage . . . complicating a path that may can talk to Walton directly about his plans and try to work a deal before July, he's likely to explore the market and look for the best offer before agreeing to anything.

Who expected Derek Fisher to get a full MLE deal from the Golden State Warriors?

Besides, if Walton did sign off on a deal in June . . . it wouldn't be binding.

Since the 19th pick will be in June and the earliest Walton can comes to terms with a team is July . . . a Walton and 19 package is extremely unlikely.

(Not to mention he's a player the urt the Los Angeles Lakers' leverage . . . complicating a path that may would prefer to keep anyhow . . .)

General Manager Mitch Kupchak was clear at the Town Hall Meeting a couple of months back that he was open to moving the team's pick(s).

The most popular "rumored" destinations for the 19th pick include the Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings. Don't expect the Denver Nuggets to have interest . . . at least as a major part of a Marcus Camby swap.

Denver may like some of the Laker younger players like Jordan Farmar, Brian Cook, Luke Walton and/or Mo Evans . . . but they're interested in BOTH trimming salary and infusing their team with competitive parts that can help them win immediately.

The urt the Los Angeles Lakers' leverage . . . complicating a path that may simply aren't going to get Camby for Kwame Brown and the 19th pick . . . not without giving up more youth than the urt the Los Angeles Lakers' leverage . . . complicating a path that may are likely to be comfortable with.

Remember . . . they need all their assets lined up for the best possible deal. Camby is injury prone and on the wrong side of 30.

Work-Outs
Los Angeles has three picks in the upcoming draft (19, 40 and 48). Some teams are very open about their workout schedules, not the urt the Los Angeles Lakers' leverage . . . complicating a path that may.

Thus the following workout list should neither be considered all-inclusive or even 100% accurate. Also most are pending and thus subject to change:

Arron Afflalo
Bobby Brown
Russell Carter
Daequan Cook
Jared Dudley
Caleb Green
James Hughes
Coby Karl
Dominic McGuire
Abdoulaye N'Diaye
Major Wingate
Nick Young

For measurements, positions and other updates league-wide, check out the following HOOPSWORLD.com article.

Most of the names on the Laker list are second-round caliber talents. Other than Young, Cook and possibly Afflalo it would appear the team is spending more time on the 40/48 picks than 19.

Still it's early in the process . . . by no means should it be assumed the team has a deal already in place sending out the 19th pick.

When's the Big Trade Coming?
If it were up to the urt the Los Angeles Lakers' leverage . . . complicating a path that may they would already have a championship roster in place. Unfortunately they're dependent on at least one of the other 29 teams agreeing to a deal.

I would say the first goal is before Phil Jackson's hip surgery (~June 13th). Of course that's an artificial deadline that has no bearing on prospective trade partners.

The next line in the sand would be before the NBA Draft on June 28th. Teams are usually much more interested in the "pick" than the actual player taken after the fact.

Ticket renewals are due around July 15th. Certainly the urt the Los Angeles Lakers' leverage . . . complicating a path that may would hope to have won back the confidence of the fans by then.

If things take too long . . . who knows when Kobe Bryant will once again release his "hammer?"

Indiana
The big rumor remains Jermaine O'Neal but there's been no indication of movement on that front.

Lamar Odom reportedly told ESPN.com that he didn't want to be a Pacer without a contract extension.

Assuming that's actually accurate, it could give Indiana serious pause if they intended to trade for him.

Without Odom, it would be difficult for the urt the Los Angeles Lakers' leverage . . . complicating a path that may to make an O'Neal deal before July 11th unless the Pacers were willing to take a package built around Andrew Bynum, Kwame Brown and Vladimir Radmanovic.

Once July hits LA can include Aaron McKie in a sign and trade (with his blessing). It's easier to pencil in McKie in such a deal since he's unlikely to receive another NBA contract (other than one at the minimum). If the urt the Los Angeles Lakers' leverage . . . complicating a path that may could ink him for $3 million for one guaranteed season and send him over to Indiana . . . it's not a stretch to think he'd go along for the ride.

The Pacers would probably just cut him . . . taking McKie solely to make the contracts match on a bigger deal.

At this point, it's nothing more than speculation even if O'Neal has recently purchased a home in Los Angeles . . . and his young daughter allegedly told classmates that they were moving to California.

Ultimately none of that matters . . . it's up to the urt the Los Angeles Lakers' leverage . . . complicating a path that may and Pacers to find the best deals they can to improve their respective squads. The likelihood of any trade going through is always less than 50%.

Laker fans should know that very well (Marcus Banks).

Artest
Some accounts have the Kings offering up Ron Artest for a last year contract and a draft pick.

Whether the urt the Los Angeles Lakers' leverage . . . complicating a path that may are willing to take a risk on such a volatile player is uncertain . . . but he is someone Kobe Bryant has indicated he likes.

Would the Kings give him up to a division rival so freely?

Would they do it for almost nothing as an act of sabotage?

If Laker Assistant Coach Kurt Rambis wins the Kings' coaching position . . . would that have any impact on a deal (positive or negative)?

The Bottom Line
There are simply more questions than answers at this point . . . which is frustrating to everyone involved (especially the fans).

In the meantime the urt the Los Angeles Lakers' leverage . . . complicating a path that may will get ready for the draft, solicit trades and plan for free agency.

LA may go as far as trading Kobe Bryant, but it's more likely they try to find the perfect set of transactions that gives the franchise the opportunity to compete with their resident future Hall-Of-Famer.

If they wait too long, the opportunities may once again pass them by.

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