With the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers losing their first four games of the season, rumors are beginning to circulate about Kobe Bryant being traded to the New York Knicks.

The rumors originated with ESPN's Chad Ford when he suggested that Lakers general manager Mitch Kupshak should be looking to trade Kobe as soon as possible, mentioning the New York Knicks as a potential trade destination.

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The logic behind the move is simple. The Lakers' record is currently 0-4 and the franchise isn't going to be much better as the season continues. Ford says the Lakers might as well trade their only championship-caliber player in an effort to gain assets while also bottoming out the team - thus receiving a nice lottery pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Ford describes it as to "take a page out of Philadelphia GM Sam Hinkie's playbook and let his team slide into oblivion this season".

Taking a look at the Boston Celtics is also a good example. Boston traded away star players Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn in exchange for some decent role players, and most importantly, three first-round draft picks.

They may not be title contenders yet, but Celtics possess a plethora of assets including young talented players, first round draft picks and expiring contracts that can be used in a trade to gain star players down the road.  

Many observers believe sliding into oblivion is going to happen for the Lakers regardless whether Kobe is traded or not. The Western Conference is just too competitive for the Lakers to make the playoffs, and it's unknown how much longer the 36-year-old Kobe has left in the tank.

Lakers rebuild process would accelerate with Kobe's abnormally large salary (for his age) off the books creating cap flexibility, as well as potential young acquisitions of New York's Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr. to the roster.

Adding Kobe Bryant to the Knicks doesn't ensure a championship, but Kobe joining Carmelo Anthony while running the triangle offense once again with Phil Jackson in the front office certainly seems enticing.

This is all speculation at this point of course, and Los Angeles fans may not want to see their franchise player for the last 18 years go, but Mitch Kupshak should certainly be looking to gain some much needed assets to help with the rebuilding process for the Lakers.

TagsNBA rumors, Los Angeles Lakers