Bryant 'Friend Requests' Pietrus

Kobe has made himself scarce to the media this summer, but seems he's looking to poke a few players and send out a few 'Friend Requests' in hopes of building up the Lakers squad for next year.

In addition to a myriad of questions we have for Kobe, like what are his thoughts on the new coaching staff, about his decision to get surgery on his knee in Germany, and the latest, why do you want Mikael Pietrus to come to the Lakers?

Pietrus, a Phoenix Suns guard with one year left on his contract, told the French newspaper L'Equipe (as first noted by Pro Basketball Talk's Kurt Helin and the Orange County Register's Janis Carr): “Phoenix did not play me, but that’s their problem. I continued to work. The only thing that interests me now is winning a title,” he said. “A lot of teams are interested in me, like the Lakers or the Celtics. This came from the best player in the world: Kobe Bryant. He told me two months ago that he would like to see me with the Lakers.”

Pietrus could possibly provide the Lake Show with some needed three-point shooting, averaging at least 36% from downtown the past five seasons, and some much needed athleticism considering Shannon Brown just opted out of his $2.37 million contract. But Pietrus is an inconsistent shooter overall, shooting 39.2% overall last year with Phoenix. He isn't exactly known to add much on defense. And the Lakers already have plenty of his type of player at the wing position, including Ron Artest, who's a better defender and Matt Barnes who also started ahead of Pietrus in Orlando.

So why would Kobe want Pietrus to play on the Lakers? Not, sure but I think he should just deny his 'Friend Request' and look elsewhere to strengthen the Lakers for their quest for a championship next season.