Well, first Karla "Jazzhole POS" Malone opts for FA. Now Phil Jackson might not come back and if Shaq wants it, he might be traded off. I wonder where he might go. Where do you guys think? http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1824147 Kupchak: Kobe a keeper, Shaq expendable EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Lakers plan to decide soon whether Phil Jackson will be their coach next season. General manager Mitch Kupchak also said Thursday the Lakers will do whatever it takes to keep Kobe Bryant, and trading Shaquille O'Neal is possible if the star center demands it. "The No. 1 priority for us right now is to resolve the coaching situation," Kupchak said, less than 48 hours after the Lakers were beaten by the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals. "We would hope to have that addressed in a short period of time." Kupchak said he spoke with Jackson on Thursday, but only about the current season -- not about the coach's future. The 58-year-old Jackson is finishing the five-year, $30 million contract he signed with the Lakers in 1999. He coached the team to championships in his first three seasons, giving him nine to tie former Boston coach Red Auerbach for the most in NBA history. In 14 seasons as a head coach, Jackson has an 832-316 for a .725 winning percentage -- best in NBA history. His 175 playoff wins are the most ever and his .717 postseason winning percentage is also tops. His teams in Chicago and Los Angeles had a 9-0 record in the NBA Finals until this year. Jackson was discussing a contract extension, but the Lakers ended talks in February until after the season. "Phil has never said that he has no interest in coming back," Jackson's agent, Todd Musberger, said from his Chicago office. Jackson said following the Lakers' loss Tuesday night that there was "a pretty slim chance" he'll coach the team next season. "No coach coaches forever," Kupchak said. "We're going to have to work in tandem with him and decide how to move forward. He's going to have his side and we're going to have our side of it. I would say he's been the best coach in the NBA over the last five years." That being said, all indications are Jackson's future with the Lakers will be decided by the team -- not Jackson. Kupchak said Lakers owner Jerry Buss will meet with Jackson "at some point in time, within the next several days." "I expect them to meet sooner rather than later," Musberger said. Several other changes are expected before next season. Only five of the 14 players on the current roster -- O'Neal, Devean George, Rick Fox, Kareem Rush and Brian Cook -- are under contract. The Lakers have club options on Luke Walton and Jamal Sampson. Karl Malone, Horace Grant, Slava Medvedenko and Bryon Russell are free agents, with Malone becoming one Wednesday when he opted out of the contract that would have paid him $1.65 million. Bryant, Gary Payton and Derek Fisher can opt out of their contracts, making them free agents. Bryant has said he'll opt out, and Kupchak said that makes the best business sense since the Lakers could then sign him for seven years for over $140 million. That's one year longer than any other team could sign him and for substantially more money. "I think we're going to keep Kobe," Kupchak said. "Part of that is based on conversations I've had with him. I've talked to his representatives. I think this is the place where he started his career and this is the place where he should end his career. I don't think any other city appreciates him as much as this one does." Bryant faces a sexual assault charge in Colorado, with no trial date set. He could spend time in prison if convicted. "We're willing to take that chance," Kupchak said. Kupchak said the Lakers will offer Bryant the maximum contract allowable, and wouldn't make a sign-and-trade deal even if he plans to leave. "Kobe is just going to have to just go, because we're not going to trade him," Kupchak said. "I don't anticipate that changing. We're going to do everything we can to keep him." O'Neal said following the finals that he was going to "take care of me," and didn't elaborate. O'Neal has made clear his desire for a contract extension, which hasn't happened. He has two seasons left on his contract -- for $27.7 million next year and $30.6 million the following year. He can opt out after next season. "He can dominate this game for years to come," Kupchak said. About possibly trading O'Neal, Kupchak said: "He has a lot to do with that as well. That would not be a good day in this club's history. We do plan to talk to him. Players do have that option (to demand a trade). We'll see what happens." Kupchak said he expects Payton will exercise his $5.4 million option to play with the Lakers next season. Payton has until next Wednesday to decide, his agent, Aaron Goodwin, said Thursday. Kupchak also said he hopes Malone will return. Malone, who turns 41 next month, said he has to be completely healthy to play next season. He sustained a possible torn right knee ligament in Game 2 of the finals, which slowed him considerably in the next two games and caused him to sit out the finale.
Two teams probably have closest to the right stuff to make a deal -- Memphis and Dallas. Atlanta -- if there's an ownership promise for Shaq after he is finished.
Wow. How cool would that be if Shaq comes back to the East??? Only to upset the balance of power once more and leave Houston as the top Center oriented powerhouse in town??? I personally don't see Shaq leaving. HOWEVER, the tone of this article seems to suggest that Kobe is where all the attention is at for the Laker front office, and secondarily, Shaq Maybe, the Lakers was Kobe's team after all???? I think Kobe's performance throughout the playoffs this year indicate that it's HIM and NOT Shaq who's "da Man" for the Lakers. Obviously Shaq is a franchise player all to his own but if he demands a trade, the Lakers have no reason NOT to trade him. No matter how the Lakers come back, they are in a rebuilding phase as of this upcoming year. With a Shaq trade, possibly to the East, they are bound to get some great people in return. theSAGE
They never can or could trade Shaq. A whole team of players isn't worth what he can do when he is right and motivated. 300-plus pound centers who dominate the paint don't grow on trees. Even if they got a huge amount of players in return, it still wouldn't offset the loss of Shaq.
Shaq's under contract this year for 27M and 30M next year. If they trade him I want to see the team that can fork over 27M in contracts (some of them of quality) and at the same time not gut the team where it would be acceptible for Shaq to play there. I just cant think of a situation. I suppose Dallas could throw Nash, Jamison, Howard and Finley at LA then leaving Dallas with Dirk and Shaq but that would really gut the team. And would LA even go for that trade anyway? Maybe LA would just be better served to see Shaq's 30M come off the books in 2 years and make a run in FA so Kobe can PICK who he wants as his running mate. That makes more sense. I dont see Shaq getting traded. But I am open to hearing others potential trades.
When a player is in obvious decline and is the second highest-paid player in the league, you have to think long and hard about offering an extension. When a top player leaves their prime, it's usually a fast fall. Payton offers proof in that. Remember how fast Ewing and Olajuwon went from top players in the game to shadows of their former selves? Do you want to be caught holding the bag of a $30+ million a year player that can't get up and down the court anymore? I also smell intense unhappiness on Shaq's part. He's said repeatedly that if Phil's forced out because of Bryant, he'll be pissed. I seriously think that he wants to go to Orlando. Possible trade destinations: Shaquille O'Neal, 2004-05 salary = $29.46 mill 85% = $25 million 1. ORL sends Hill, Gooden, Garrity, DeClercq, Gaines, Bogans #1 pick ($25 million) 2. DAL sends Walker and Finley ($29 million) 3. NJN sends Kittles, (S&T Kenyon Martin @ $11 mill), Aaron Williams, and Jason Collins ($25.8 million) 4. POR sends Stoudamire and Ratliff (final year deals)($30.5) Not saying any of these are likely to happen, but the numbers do work. Orlando's is the least favorable for LA, but the others all allow for substantial rebuilding after next year. Don't underestimate the deal-making that can happen with the expansion draft, btw. Evan
Evan, just using those deals you put up there. If I was LA I wouldnt do any of those. I would just let Shaq walk after his contract is up. 30M off the books to get a FA that Kobe would want as his sidekick is a hell of a lot more appealing than bloated contracts on some of those players. I dont see Shaq being traded. I dont see Kobe being traded. I think they BOTH will be there next season. And then Shaq walks after his contract is up.
I think that team's situation has reached critical mass. Management's every comment seems to indicate that they will keep Kobe and accommodate him at every turn. Good-bye, Phil. And maybe good-bye, Shaq. Actually, some of those deals aren't too bad, or, at least, the idea behind those deals. Dallas has a lot of tradeable parts, and the Lakers would (damn it) be in good shape for next year (if all ends well for Kobe in court).
Trading Shaq is the most obvious route for the Lakers to rebuild. However, to match his contract, teams would have to fork out about half of a team to get him. I wonder how many teams are willing to do that for a declining high priced player. That's a window of about 2 years of contending. I heard that Shaq was steamed because the Lakers were even considering the possibility of trading him. Hey Shaq, you refused to accept a pay cut. Now you are mad that they want to trade you. So maybe you can just cut it lose and "test" the FA market after next season and see how much you are worth. Shaq is a selfish player. I'm not talking about his playing style. I'm talking about his putting his ego way above the team.
I certainly don't think Kupchak WANTs any of these deals. Judging from his (and O'Neal's) comments, it sounds like Shaq is gearing up to ask out of LA. Kupchak has gone so far as to say they won't S&T Kobe even if he's gone. He was curiously less emphatic about holding on to Shaq. I still think chances of O'Neal staying are at least 80%, but I am keeping in mind that Shaq can opt out of his contract next year (stupid as that would be to do). This seriously looks to be less about managment wanting to move him and more about Shaq wanting out. It's written on the walls that Kobe's going to get his way (and coach) starting next year. Would you want to stick around for that? If you feel that a coach you're very loyal to left the building because of Therapist #8, would you want to stay? That's not even getting into his feelings for Kupchak. Evan
Qestion: What type of a team would be capable of receiving Shaq with his huge contract? Three types: Type 1 is a team that doesn't already have a high-dollar contract, or even a few medium-level salaries. Like the Atlanta Hawks - they only have (at most) $13 mil. under contract for next season. They and other teams under similar contract situations, could give shaq his big paycheck and have a little (not much) money left over to fill the rest of their team. The problem here, though is that such a team would have nothing to offer in return for Shaq. Type 2 is a team that also has one or two very high-dollar contracts that are trade-able. The problem with this is... any player that is highly paid, but trade-able, is probably an overpaid, underperforming player and that's not what the Lakers are looking for. (actually, it's not what ANY team is looking for). That leaves Type 3 Type 3 is a team that has quite a few medium-level contracts with players that aren't untouchable. I guess a team like New York could offer some kind of combination of Mutombo, Othella Harrington, Kurt Thomas, Moochie Norris, Nazr Mohammed and a few other players. Though their team salary would still be ridiculously high (around $97 mil) they would surround Shaq with Allan Houston, Stephon Marbury, Penny Hardaway, Tim Thomas, and Shandon Anderson - not bad. They would still have too many high-dollar contracts, though, so they might want to dump some of their other overpaid players onto some other team for cash. The Lakers would receive some medium-level talent (certainly not all-stars), but LA has to realize that that's probably all they can get for Shaq. With a good coach and with Kobe, LA could still be a strong team. And having Shaq on their team might make it easier for New York to be so far over the cap. Yeah, they lose money paying the fee for being over the cap, but because their market is so huge (NY fans), they may be able to re-coup their losses through merchandise sales if they have a huge name like Shaq on their team - especially if they are playoff bound. -- droxford
Does anyone else find the idea of Mark Cuban signing off on a trade for Shaq just a little funny? I bet David Stern would love approving that deal just to end all of phone calls and emails from Cuban every season. Then again, he'd probably end up getting twice as much contact from Cuban complaining about how Shaq is getting hacked.
Shaq to Orlando for the #1 pick + Grant Hill + filler seems reasonable for both teams. The Lakers can build a team around Okafor and Bryant and the Laker's should also get cap room when Hill plays 10 games next year and finally realizes that he has to retire. Shaq and T-Mac will make the Magic contenders in the East. I can't see Shaq ever being traded to Dallas because there is no way that Shaq will ever let the Lakers beat the Mavs in the playoffs.
I am no capologist. So those who are please chime in. The Lakers can trade Shaq to a team that's under the cap and the contracts don't have to match. They can take some young promising players to rebuild plus a trade exception for further deals.
Shaq to Utah? Wouldn't that be hillarious? And then get Karla to come back to Salt Lake. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
The Lakers won't get fair value for Shaq, but the biggest point is will Shaq demand a trade or will he be willing to stay in LA? What happens if Shaq comes out tomorrow and starts referring to Kobe as a rapist or starts questioning his dedication to basketball in the same way Kobe questioned him last year. Bottom line is the Lakers need to talk to Shaq and fast to find out what he wants. If he wants out they would be best off trading him for whatever they can get, rather than having Shaq force a trade. Remember Quitten and what we got in return for him, LA could get stuck in a situation similar if Shaq really wants out of LA.
