ok this a big IF because apparently it wont be as easy to trade shaq as once envisioned, but If he does get traded I am pretty sure he will get MVP next year. Why? He came into camp in shape this year, well in the best shape since 2000. Injuries really hurt him this year and he just reverted back to his old ways and gain weight throughout the season which hurt him in the playoffs with their every other day scheduling after the first round. Why? The only thing that is bigger than shaq's salary is his ego. Losing in the playoffs in 03 to the spurs made him come into camp in great shape, but that I dont think really affected him too much. Now with the Lakers basically saying We are going to go with kobe, he is the better player, if you want to leave, fine attitude He is gonna wanna prove them wrong, and in the worst fashion possible Now it is pretty obvious that they attacked the one spot shaq doesnt want to be attacked at, his ego. Wherever he is next year, as long as it isnt the La Lakers, he is gonna show up, at least I believe in excellent shape and prove that the lakers made a mistake trying to go with kobe instead of sticking with him when he still had good years left
I don't see how they'll be able NOT to trade him. Especially after the trades today. They clearly want to build around Kobe, but with Clippers (Drobnjak) and Suns (Jahidi) moving salaries to Charlotte, Kobe has viable alternatives. If KObe says "move Shaq, or I'm gone" they will have to move Shaq.
Apparently, only Dallas has enough big contracts to match Shaq's and an owner crazy enough to pay him that much.
Shaq is spiraling towards the end of his career, players like him do not miraculously get into shape. He will only get fatter, slower, and less motivated. I hope he does go to Dallas, he would be the end of their chances. Say no to a bloated Shaq.....a once was, but will never be again. DD
You are right DaDa. 21.5 PTs, 11.5 REBs, 2.5 BLKs and almost 60% shooting sure signals a "spiraling down" of ones career. He might not be what he once was, but hes still the most dominant player in the league and will be for a at least another season or two at least. You have the most warped view of things sometimes..........
There are actually a fewer suitors, though Dallas would have the easiest time putting a package together, by far. Especially if they're out of the McGrady derby. I strongly suspect they will refuse to include Dirk, and that might be fine with LA, since Kobe doesn't want competition as much as sidekicks. Forget Steve Nash too, since a S&T to accomodate a Shaq deal sort of defeats the whole purpose of free agency, especially with Phoenix in the wings. Dallas: Pick one - Walker (final yr), Finley (not desirable), Jamison Pick two - Fortson, Najera, Bradley (not desirable), Delk, Abdul-Wahid (not desirable) Add in Howard New Jersey Nets: S&T Kenyon Martin @ near max (he gets his money and a better location than Denver) Rodney Rogers, Lucious Harris, Kerry Kittles (final year deals that allow LA to rebuild next year). Jason Collins and/or Aaron Williams Los Angeles Clippers: Elton Brand, draft picks, and an assortment (Wilcox, Ely, Maggette, etc). LAC are under the cap and can give LAL a trade exemption if the salaries do not match. Portland: Pick any two final year players: Stoudamire, Davis, Ratliff, Abdur-Rahim Memphis: Bonzi Wells (team option for $8 mill) Pick 4: Pau Gasol, James Posey, Shane Battier, Lorenzen Wright, Bo Outlaw, Mike Miller And so on. Dallas and NJN are the front runners. Only thing against the Nets is that Ratner has ordered that they slash salary until they're in Brooklyn. That's apparently why they no longer expect Martin to stay. Bringing in Shaq won't help things. Evan
Codell, That is exactly my point...how many years left? One? Two? He wants an extension, and he has 2 years left on his current contract. If I were the Lakers, I would tell him that he is a Laker, and we will discuss a contract extension in a year or so.... He is a GREAT player, when he wants to be..... DD
I think Shaq still has good 2-3 years left, which is like eternity in the NBA. If Mark Cuban gets Shaq, a contract extension of one year is reasonable, 2-year is not sure, 3-4 years are risky. He is still the most dominate player in the game. And you can bet he will be motivated next season to play outside lakers!
I'm listening to a Los Angeles radio station right now and they are talking about a potential deal that they have been hearing the Clippers are thinking about. They are saying Brand, Maggette, Melvin Ely, AND the Number 4 pick to the Lakers for Shaq. I just can't imagine the Clippers giving up all of that, but if they do offer it up I think the Lakers would be stupid to turn it down at this point.
Wow, first they were trying to sign Kobe. Now they are trying to trade for Shaq. They are determined to keep the pair as cross-town rivalry.
04-05 18pts 9rbs 1.75bl 50% 335lbs 05-06 15 7 1.0 47% 370lbs 06-07 10 5 0 40% 425lbs+wine+women+song+cigars +a very big couch. 07-08 INJURED AND RETIRES TO TEXAS 475lbs.
That'd be scary if it were true could you imagine a front line of Yao and Shaq? Only a wet dream though...carry on.
come on folx 50% Shaq is still at worse a top ten center in this league unless the Kwame Browns and Chandlers become instantly better 50% Shaq is better than 100% Most Centers in the League Rocket River
50% of Shaq is better than most centers in the league. 50% of Shaq at $20+ mil a yr will handcuff your team for yrs to come. If Cuban is smart, pay Shaq for the 2 yrs, maybe extend 1 yr. as payment for service rendered . Anything beyond that and the Mavs get screwed.
Extending Shaq for multiple years is franchise suicide. (To whover said Shaq in '07-'08 would be 475 lbs., hehehe, good one) Anyways, I don't think LA would take the trade unless Dallas puts Dirk in the mix. You can't expect to get a player like Shaq without giving up something big, and definitely the Lakers wouldn't be satisfied with the likes of a Finley, Walker, Fortson, basically trash players.
