" Kobe Bryant knows Caron Butler about as well as anybody in the NBA.

They were Los Angeles Lakers teammates in 2004-05 and became workout buddies and close friends, spending early mornings on the track running sprints and afternoons in the gym. Bryant said the player the Mavericks are getting as the centerpiece to their trade with Washington will be an instant fan favorite.

"You're going to love him," Bryant said. "I hate to say that, but you guys are going to absolutely love him. You put him on a contender and I'm telling you, you're going to love him. And he's tough as nails, too."

The trade bringing Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson to the Mavericks for Josh Howard, Drew Gooden, James Singleton and Quinton Ross was approved by the NBA on Saturday evening. "