Uncovered: The Shocking Truth Behind Mavericks’ 2007 Kobe Bryant Offer That Could Have Changed NBA History

Imagine a basketball world where Kobe Bryant didn’t just drape himself in the purple and gold, but instead teamed up with Dirk Nowitzki in Dallas — a pairing so potent it could have reshaped NBA history forever. It’s a tantalizing “what if” that Mark Cuban recently spilled on during “The Big Podcast,” revealing how close the Mavericks came in 2007 to trading for the Black Mamba. Now, Cuban’s one hard-and-fast rule prevented this seismic shift: “Don’t give up Dirk Nowitzki.” But just how close were the discussions? And what ripples might this deal have sent through the Western Conference and beyond? Let’s dive into the fascinating details behind the near-move that almost rewrote the legacy of one of basketball’s greatest icons.

Los Angeles Lakers v Phoenix Suns — (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Kobe Bryant spent all 20 seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, but there was a period when he was thinking about leaving the team.

In fact, according to Mark Cuban, Bryant came painfully close to joining the Dallas Mavericks.

Appearing on “The Big Podcast,” Cuban said the Mavericks almost had Bryant in 2007.

Cuban had only one rule for his Mavericks: don’t give up Dirk Nowitzki.

“Do you realize how close we were to trading for Kobe in 2007?… It was going to be Josh Howard, Jason Terry, and picks. I said anybody but Dirk Nowitzki,” Cuban said, via Fullcourtpass.

Mark Cuban says the Mavericks were close to trading for Kobe Bryant

“Do you realize how close we were to trading for Kobe in 2007?… It was going to be Josh Howard, Jason Terry, and picks. I said anybody but Dirk Nowitzki.”

(via @bigpodwithshaq) pic.twitter.com/nwXZcJAUsA

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) August 12, 2025

The Mavericks were willing to offer the Lakers Josh Howard, Jason Terry, and draft picks in order to get Bryant.

Would LA have agreed to that?

In normal circumstances, they would have said no, but if Bryant was unhappy in Los Angeles and demanding a move, the Lakers would have been forced to accept the best deal possible, and this may have been it, at least from the Mavericks.

The pairing of Bryant and Nowitzki would have been lethal to the rest of the West, and they could have brought the Mavericks multiple championships.

Of course, Cuban’s deepest desires never panned out, and Bryant remained in Los Angeles.

But it wasn’t all bad news for Dallas because they claimed a championship only a few years later.

People will always talk about what could have been if Bryant left the Lakers, and they will forever wonder just how much he could have accomplished with Nowitzki by his side.

The post Details Emerge About Mavericks’ Offer For Kobe Bryant In 2007 appeared first on The Cold Wire.