Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss revealed Wednesday that he would be willing to trade superstar Kobe Bryant — if the price is right.

Buss, 77, told reporters covering training camp in Hawaii that he "would certainly listen" to offers for Bryant, who demanded to be dealt over the off-season before recanting.

Kobe Bryant could be traded by the Lakers given the right circumstance.
(Jeff Lewis/Associated Press)

"At any time, I think you have to do that with anybody," Buss said. "It is just part of the game — to listen to somebody who has a dissatisfied player that you think is going to fit.

"You can't keep too many loyalties. You have got to look at it as a business [and] he looks at it the same way I look at it."
 
Bryant, 29, stunned the basketball world on May 30 by bluntly declaring his dissatisfaction with the Lakers, and demanding to be traded.

Bryant claimed that there was nothing the Lakers could do to dissuade him, even though he had four years and $88.6 million US remaining on the seven-year, $136.4-million US contract inked July 15, 2004.

"I told him that I would try my best to accommodate his wishes," Buss said, "but that I could not afford to let him go unless we got comparable talent - if there was such a thing."

But Bryant changed his mind the next day, and later met with Buss to discuss the frustration that prompted the trade request.

"He listened very carefully for 30 to 45 minutes," Buss recalled. "I tried to explain to him how much the city of Los Angeles loved him and that to leave 10 million sweethearts for unknown territory might not be the right thing to do.

"But when I was finished, he said he felt the same way. And I said, 'OK. With that, I will proceed to see what's available.'"

It was the latest salvo in a growing dispute between the Lakers and Bryant, who was displeased about being eliminated in five games by the Phoenix Suns in the first round of last spring's playoffs, and by suggestions published in the Los Angeles Times that the team's predicament was largely his doing because he insisted three years ago that he couldn't co-exist with Shaquille O'Neal.

The Lakers haven't won a playoff series since O'Neal was shipped to the Miami Heat, who won their first NBA title in 2005-06. 

"Anyone can be traded," O'Neal said. "But mine was different because I walked into the office and demanded a trade.

"I do not take loyalty lightly. If you tell me you're going to do something, I expect you to do it. And then, when you change your mind without telling me, that means you're disloyal, so we can't be down anymore."

Told that Buss was prepared to peddle Bryant, O'Neal replied: "I guess it is business before loyalty. But wow, he said that?"

Another reason to trade Bryant is that he can terminate his contract in two years.

"He could test the waters at that point," Buss admitted. "And if he's still in that frame of mind, then hopefully we can do a sign-and-trade and get some comparable talent."

MVP-calibre campaign

Bryant finished third behind Dirk Nowitzki and Victoria's Steve Nash for the most valuable player this season, averaging 31.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 40.7 minutes in 77 starts for the Lakers.

He also earned a seventh straight selection to the league's all-defensive team.

Bryant further distinguished himself by becoming the first NBA player since the late Wilt Chamberlain to score 50-plus points in four consecutive games.

Bryant has won two NBA scoring titles and three league championships with the Lakers, though none since O'Neal was dealt, and once burned the Toronto Raptors for 81 points — second to Chamberlain's record of 100 points in a single game.

Bryant is on pace to become the youngest player ever to reach 20,000 points, but has faced criticism for not sharing the ball the past three seasons.

He has averaged 24.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 36.1 minutes in 784 games (636 starts) for the Lakers, who acquired his negotiating rights from the Charlotte Hornets in a trade for Vlade Divac on July 11, 1996.

Two weeks earlier, Charlotte drafted Bryant 13th overall out of high school.

With files from the Associated Press