Its still very early in the season but its not hard to see the Los Angeles Lakers heading into another terrible NBA campaign. The team has only won once and lost five of their last six games and with Steve Nash and Julius Randle sidelined for the entire season, a lot of people are already expecting Kobe Bryant to burst out in the near future.

Now Bryant is already caught up in trade rumors including a couple of Easter Conference teams, the New York Knicks and the Washington Wizards. Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv and NBA.com added some context to the suggestion that Bryant could be heading to the New York Knicks:

"An NBA assistant mentioned Kobe to the Knicks to me over the summer and that chatter is now heating up. Seems counter to Knicks long plan."

The trade doesn't make much sense for the Knicks though, who are reportedly in the process of building toward a brighter future, as it would mean absorbing the 36 year old Bryant's $48.5 million contract, handcuffing them from making any potential moves according to Scott Polacek of Bleacher Report. But Polacek does believe that Bryant's familiarity and winning history with Phil Jackson, Derek Fisher and the triangle offense could be the biggest factor if a trade is to happen. His veteran presence and extensive championship experience could also speed up the learning curve of some of the younger players and help Carmelo Anthony win games if the team reaches the playoffs.

And there are also the Washington Wizards who are also linked to Kobe early this season. Sam Smith reported the news on Bulls.com:

But as much as Lakers' fans believe it's about Kobe, Lakers' management would have to jump at a chance for a young star to accelerate their rebuilding. Which is why Kobe to the Wizards may be the one. The Wizards have a young, potential star shooting guard in Bradley Beal. You can build with a player like him. Then you give the Lakers Nene and another player since the Wizards have plenty of guys they're not much using to include in trade. For the Wizards, it's the chance to take a shot, which they really don't have now. With the addition of Paul Pierce, the Wizards are about now. Adding someone like Kobe with Pierce, John Wall and Marcin Gortat gives them a shot at the top of the weak East. And how sweet would it be for Kobe to go where Michael Jordan couldn't win and get somewhere? Kobe's not getting that sixth title. Maybe besting Jordan that way would appeal to him.

But it seems that none of these scenarios will transpire soon. However, as the trade deadline gets closer and the Lakers losing ways continues, trade rumors surrounding Kobe Bryant will surely be popping back again.