I definetly thin Shaq will be traded to the East, probably a big market or Orlando. Also, the team has to have some potential next year. Here are some options: Orlando trades: #1 pick in the draft (Okafor) SF Grant Hill ( ppg, rpg, apg in minutes) PF Drew Gooden (11.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.1 apg in 27.0 minutes) C Andrew DeClercq (3.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.6 apg in 17.1 PG Tyronn Lue (10.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 4.2 apg in 30.7 minutes) C Steven Hunter (3.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.2 apg in 13.4 minutes) NJ Nets trade: KM (sign and trade with Max or close to it) Zo filler #22 pick (ist in 04) 1st rounder in 07? New York Marbury Nazir Mutumbo Miami Wade Jones Grant Personally, I think the Nets will have a hard time having the most competitve offer if Orl, NY and Mia get involved. Shaq is still a top 3 player and a mega icon, whether he wants a trade or not the Lakers will get a bundle for him.
The problem there, Duece, is that if they don't trade O'neal it's pretty much certain Kobe won't be there when his contract expires. They HATE each other. Do you really think Kobe is going to agree to playing with him for two more years when there are other teams out there who will sign him? The Ratliff/Stoudamire deal with Portland would be the ideal type trade for them. They unload Shaq for players they can let walk at the end of next season anyway. Or being Los Angeles, they can easily do the trade and buy out both contracts if they don't think the players fit their plan. I'd assume they'd try to send him to the eastern conference though. A person has to be out of their mind to think that every team even close to contention in the East isn't lined up for a shot at Shaq. It really doesn't matter if you gut most of those teams because they don't have a lot of talent anyway. If you put Shaq on Boston with Paul Pierce they're a serious threat to at least make the eastern conference finals. The same with Orlando with McGrady, Philadelphia with Iverson, New Jersey with Kidd and maybe Jefferson and a host of other teams. If the Pacers could manage to keep Artest and O'neil and add Shaq I really don't care who else is on the roster. They're a serious threat. the main thing to consider here is it really doesn't matter what they get in return for him because this move is all about keeping Kobe. It isn't about getting talent for Shaq, but I do think they can get three or four solid players to replenish their roster.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1824945 Shaq's not going back to Mickey Mouse Land! Goodbye McGrady.
