However, three days later, on Stephen A. Smith's radio program, Bryant expressed anger over a Lakers "insider" who claimed that Bryant was responsible for Shaquille O'Neal's departure from the team, and publicly stated, "I want to be traded."
Tapi, 3 hari kemudian, di program radio Stephen A. Smith, Bryant mengungkapkan kemarahan kepada "orang dalam" Lakers yang mengklaim bahwa Bryant bertanggung jawab terhadap perginya Shaquille O'Neal dari tim, dan menyatakan kepada publik, "Aku ingin ditukar."