Phil Jackson leaves the Lakers

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

The only even trade I can see for Shaq anywhere is Shaq to Atlanta Hawks for a 3rd round pick, if even that.

That crossed the line between Anti Laker and pure stupidity

To me, Shaq would be taking with him a lot of baggage.... like:

 

1. Age: Shaq is noticeably deteriorating with the years. Granted when he wants to, he can play but as often as he used to? Not really.

 

2. His attitude: He has such a piss poor attitude that a well-rounded team would probably not go after him. Not in a trade suggested by Orale anyways.

 

3. His salary: With the factors said above, I can see teams hesitating to pay him 28 million the next season and 30 million the year after that. Now if Shaq takes a paycut, then he's a good short-term pickup.

 

 

With that said, I was kidding about the Hawks thing. Shaq is definitely worth more than that but not much.

[Dangerous A 0]

I don't think Orlando and LA can do any business. On ESPN, they are reporting that Orlando wants a lot for McGrady. They want Stoudamire and Marion to do a deal with the Suns or Mobley, Francis, and Cato with the Rockets. They would want more than just Shaq it seems.

 

I don't think a T-Mac/Kobe tandem would work out in terms of winning a championship. They couldn't co-exist. The other 10 guys on the team would get next to nothing in shot attempts. They already didn't get enough shots with Shaq/Kobe, but they would really not see the ball if T-Mac would go their way.

 

Still, off season is looking to be pretty interesting already.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

The sound you hear is the sound of all the "lifetime" Lakers fans getting off the bandwagon again. This is not to insult the actual Lifetime Lakers fans, but the ones who suddenly popped up a couple years ago and call radio shows every day/night saying how they've been a Laker fan all their life and how great the Lakers are. Who will the Sacramento Kings fans call in on radio shows to insult now?

 

The Clippers have a better shot of making the Playoffs than the Lakers do if they lose Shaq and Kobe, even if they get McGrady.

 

I'll also make the promise that if Kobe and Shaq do leave, they will go to an Eastern Conference team.

[Art Sandusky 0]

Kotz, after checking your age and seeing I'm almost 2 years older than you there's no way you were 14 when they won their first title. Unless you mean their first title in the second threepeat. You were probably 8 or 9 when they won their first title of the Jordan era(not being a major basketball historian I've no clue if they won titles before that)

I said final title, not first.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

As per the Bulls dynasty, there's always hatred of dynasties, for the simple reason that when one team wins, 25-30 other teams do not.

[Guest NaturalBornThriller4:20]

What a bunch of bitches...

 

When they lose (Or get dominated), they all break up.

 

I can understand Kobe's motives of wanting to test out the FA market since he's been a Laker his entire career, wanting to win without Shaq, etc... but Shaq demanding a trade ? Stop being a bitch.

 

As for sending Shaq back to Orlando, I would agree had this been 3 or 4 years ago. Shaq is much older and only has a couple of years left in him. Older Shaq for the much younger T-Mac ? NO.

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

As per the Bulls dynasty, there's always hatred of dynasties, for the simple reason that when one team wins, 25-30 other teams do not.

Some dynasties are more hated than others, when they are especially obnoxious, like the Cowboys of the early 90s and the Lakers now.

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

On ESPN, they are reporting that Orlando wants a lot for McGrady. Mobley, Francis, and Cato with the Rockets.

If i were the Rockets I would make this trade in about 4 seconds.

[razazteca 0]

Trade Shaq to the T-Wolves for Olokandi and a draft pick?

[Guest FrigidSoul]

Some sites are saying Shaq might be headed back to Orlando with the Lakers getting Grant Hill, Juwan Howard, and the #1 overall pick.

 

That's a fair trade, and if done it keeps T-Mac in Orlando.

[Spicy McHaggis 0]

Just because I'm nuts, I put together this list of trade possibilities. I could see the Lakers getting 3-4 players for Shaq, maybe 2-3 if it involves a big name.

 

Discuss.

 

Dallas Mavericks:

 

G- Tony Delk

PF- Danny Fortson

SF- Antawn Jamison

C- Eduardo Najera

SF- Antoine Walker

 

Denver Nuggets:

 

PF- Chris Andersen

PG- Earl Boykins

C- Marcus Camby

PF- Nene Hilario

G- Voshon Lenard

 

Golden State Warriors:

 

PG- Speedy Claxton

C- Erick Dampier

C- Adonal Foyle

PF- Popeye Jones

PF- Troy Murphy

 

Indiana Pacers:

 

SF- Ron Artest

F- Jonathan Bender

SF- Al Harrington

C- Jermaine O'Neal

PG- Jamaal Tinsley

 

Los Angeles Clippers:

 

PF- Elton Brand

C- Melvin Ely

GF- Cory Maggette

PF- Chris Wilcox

 

Memphis Grizzlies:

 

SF- Shane Battier

G- Mike Miller

PF- Bo Outlaw

F- James Posey

PF- Stromile Swift

C- Lorenzen Wright

 

New Jersey Nets:

 

SF- Richard Jefferson

PF- Kenyon Martin

F- Rodney Rogers

C- Aaron Williams

 

New Orleans Hornets:

 

PF- P.J. Brown

PG- Baron Davis

C- Jamaal Magloire

G- Steve Smith

PF- Robert Traylor

 

New York Knicks:

 

PG- Stephon Marbury

C- Nazr Mohammed

PF- Mike Sweetney

PF- Kurt Thomas

F- Tim Thomas

 

Orlando Magic:

 

#1 Pick

F- Pat Garrity

F- Drew Gooden

SF- Grant Hill

F- Juwan Howard

PG- Tyronn Lue

G- Tracy McGrady

 

Phoenix Suns:

 

FC- Keon Clark

GF- Casey Jacobsen

SF- Shawn Marion

PF- Antonio McDyess

PF- Amare Stoudemire

[Guest FrigidSoul]

Isn't Dampier a FA? I'm pretty sure a couple other names on that list are as well.

[Spicy McHaggis 0]

Of course. I'm including sign & trades as well. Some guys are unprotected, too.

[Guest Rob Van Dam]

Peter Vescey was just on Best Damn Sports show. He thinks Kobe will end up in New York because they he might have a sweetheart deal with Nike that if he's in the big apple they will double his shoe contract. Also He said T Mac wants to play in Houston next year and Rasheed will probably stay put in Detroit.

the only way Kobe will end up in New York is a sign and trade with the Lakers

[Guest Vitamin X]

Kobe would be a fool to leave LA. They're doing everything possible to try and keep him even if it means losing a hall of fame coach and former MVP center. This IS Kobe's team now and has been all this year, despite the rape trial. That's another thing they've stuck with him despite it all.

 

Well, I just hope the Lakers get at least a decent coach and can come back strong, and most importantly they need to keep Kobe.

 

Ideally, LA would release Rick Fox, Horace Grant, Gary Payton, and Karl Malone unless they all decide to retire. Key free agents for LA to retain are Kobe and Derek Fisher (believe it or not). Shaq is important, but he is replaceable and I think the youth of the team can step up, even Slava showed he can make more than one bucket in a game in Game 5, even though he was outplayed the rest of the game.

 

I take it this has become the OaO Laker destruction in the offseason thread?

[TheOriginalOrangeGoblin 0]

Some sites are saying Shaq might be headed back to Orlando with the Lakers getting Grant Hill, Juwan Howard, and the #1 overall pick.

 

That's a fair trade, and if done it keeps T-Mac in Orlando.

That's a perfect deal for Orlando. If LA offers that, the Magic would be idiots to say no.

[Guest El Satanico]

Kobe would be a fool to leave LA.

He'd only be a fool to leave LA, if LA offers him the most money. The Lakers aren't the only team that would let Kobe be THE star player.

 

Shaq is important, but he is replaceable

He's not replaceable, so they would have to rework the gameplan for a team without a dominate wide body.

[alfdogg 0]

The only even trade I can see for Shaq anywhere is Shaq to Atlanta Hawks for a 3rd round pick, if even that.

Maybe...if the NBA Draft even HAD a third round...

[Guest FrigidSoul]

Ideally, LA would release Rick Fox, Horace Grant, Gary Payton, and Karl Malone unless they all decide to retire.

Malone already opted out of his contract and has stated unless his leg heals 100% he's done. I doubt Gary Payton opts outs since there's no longer going to be a triangle offense is effect so he'll get more oppurtunities to score, not to mention after this past season he's not about to see more than what his current contract is going to get him. Horace Grant is probably done and I believe Rick Fox counts too much against the cap to just get rid of.

[alfdogg 0]

They could leave Fox for Charlotte to take.

[Steviekick 0]

Ideally, LA would release Rick Fox, Horace Grant, Gary Payton, and Karl Malone unless they all decide to retire.

Malone already opted out of his contract and has stated unless his leg heals 100% he's done. I doubt Gary Payton opts outs since there's no longer going to be a triangle offense is effect so he'll get more oppurtunities to score, not to mention after this past season he's not about to see more than what his current contract is going to get him. Horace Grant is probably done and I believe Rick Fox counts too much against the cap to just get rid of.

Payton will stay in LA definitely now that Jackson's gone. I'm sure whoever the new coach is will give him more freedom as far as playmaking, and Payton will have a much better year.

 

Even though Shaq is getting older in his career, he is still better and contributes more to the Lakers than Kobe. If I was in charge, I'd give Kobe an out, and try to appease Shaq.

[Damaramu 0]

On ESPN, they are reporting that Orlando wants a lot for McGrady. Mobley, Francis, and Cato with the Rockets.

If i were the Rockets I would make this trade in about 4 seconds.

Yeah but I'd try to find a way to hold onto Francis. Imagine that lineup......Francis, T-Mac, and Yao.

[Just John 0]

They want Stoudamire and Marion to do a deal with the Suns or Mobley, Francis, and Cato with the Rockets.

While I love the prospect of T-Mac and Yao, that would be a terrible trade. Francis, Mo Taylor and a draft pick, maybe. Houston would be stupid to give 2 of their best defenders and 2 of their top scorers for 1 guy. I'd try to trade Mobley and maybe Cato, a bench player or two, and a draft pick for McGrady. Then just move Francis to the 2-guard spot where he belongs and you have a pretty scary looking line up.

 

The Suns could use anyone at this point, but giving up Amare AND Marion? The Suns shouldn't take that deal.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Some sites are saying Shaq might be headed back to Orlando with the Lakers getting Grant Hill, Juwan Howard, and the #1 overall pick.

 

That's a fair trade, and if done it keeps T-Mac in Orlando.

That's a perfect deal for Orlando. If LA offers that, the Magic would be idiots to say no.

No it wouldn't be. Grant Hill and Juwan Howard are past their primes but the number 1 pick is valuable. Shaq is not worth the number 1 pick, let alone the number 1 pick and two decent past their prime players.

[Guest OraleHolmes]

Apparently, the Lakers could get McGrady and perhaps the number one pick for Shaq, but they don't want it. They believe that a Kobe-McGrady partnership would NOT work under any circumstances.

 

Apparently, the Lakers are interested in Jamison and Walker or Stoudemire and Marion or Francis, Mobley, Cato or Jefferson and Martin or Jermaine O'Neal and Artest...

 

Looks interesting. On a side note, you're Laker-Hating ways are absurd. Shaq is the most wanted player in the NBA now and teams are willing to give up A LOT for him. Granted, Shaq's skills have deteriorated, but his mere presence in the lane changes the complexion of the game for both the team he's playing on and the opposing team.

[The Electrifyer 0]

They think Kobe-McGrady wont work, yet they're seeking out Steve Francis from Houston?

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Apparently, the Lakers could get McGrady and perhaps the number one pick for Shaq, but they don't want it. They believe that a Kobe-McGrady partnership would NOT work under any circumstances.

 

Apparently, the Lakers are interested in Jamison and Walker or Stoudemire and Marion or Francis, Mobley, Cato or Jefferson and Martin or Jermaine O'Neal and Artest...

 

Looks interesting. On a side note, you're Laker-Hating ways are absurd. Shaq is the most wanted player in the NBA now and teams are willing to give up A LOT for him. Granted, Shaq's skills have deteriorated, but his mere presence in the lane changes the complexion of the game for both the team he's playing on and the opposing team.

You are right. Shaq's the most wanted Free Agent. I'm just saying for the long-term, such investment is unwise. Kobe is a better deal and I don't like either guy.

[Steviekick 0]

Apparently, the Lakers are interested in Jamison and Walker or Stoudemire and Marion or Francis, Mobley, Cato or Jefferson and Martin or Jermaine O'Neal and Artest...

If Dallas wound up getting Shaq for Jamison and Walker and could get maybe one B-list player, they could take it in the west.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

Looks interesting. On a side note, you're Laker-Hating ways are absurd. Shaq is the most wanted player in the NBA now

I would say teams would want Kevin Garnett, Shawn Marion, T-Mac, Tim Duncan, Jermaine O'Neil, Peja, etc more. Shaq is getting older and slower. He's not a top 10 player anymore let alone the best player.

[Guest OraleHolmes]

You're out of your mind. Shaq is in the top 5, if not one of the two best players in the league (he and Kobe). If you didn't know, Shaq was ALL-NBA 1st Team again this year. And now that I think about it, Shaq averaged only 21 points this season because he was getting only 13-14 shot attempts per game, as opposed to 21-22 the year before when he averaged 28 points. So, Shaq's skills haven't necessarily declined, his shot attempts have, which translate into fewer points, and perpetuates the misconception that he isn't as dominant as he once was. If Shaq goes to a team where he can get lots of touches, look out... And don't forget, he's led the league in field-goal percentage for like eight years in a row.