Jerry West recounts talking Kobe Bryant out of signing with surprise team

When discussing the greatest Los Angeles Lakers of all time, it doesn't take long for the late Kobe Bryant's name to come up. 

Bryant spent 20 historic seasons with the Lakers, winning five championships and the 2008 MVP Award, but it wasn't always a smooth ride. Following center Shaquille O'Neal's 2004 trade to Miami, the Lakers experienced some growing pains, ultimately leading to Bryant considering a move to another team.

While following in Michael Jordan's footsteps and joining the Bulls was a possibility for Bryant, fellow Laker legend Jerry West revealed another team that could've landed the "Black Mamba."

During an appearance on "Podcast P with Paul George," West, now a consultant for the Clippers, recounted a story of Bryant wanting to play for the Grizzlies in 2004. At the time, West served as Memphis' general manager, and rather than recruiting Bryant to join the Grizzlies, he advised him to stay in Los Angeles. 

"He became a free agent, OK?" West told host and Clippers star Paul George. "And he called me, and his agent then was Rob Pelinka. And so I met them in Orange County in a hotel room, and he said he wanted to come to Memphis and play basketball."

"And I looked at him, I said, 'Are you kidding me?' And he said, 'No.' And I said, 'Kobe, no, no. It's just you belong somewhere out here.' And even though he would have never played there, I just want to reassure him that don't feel like you have any obligation with me or the Grizzlies to play here."