Watching PTI one of the topics is that Shaq wants to go back to the Lakers. They said it's not going to happen, but that would suck! I guess depending on what they gave up. If this has already been posted about just delete this thread.
If it happened, I'm pretty sure it happen via Shaq's free agency. But that wouldn't be a bad bigs rotation, Gasol/Bynum/Shaq.
The trick is do you think Shaq would be willing to sign for the MLE? I think he would. Money shouldn't be an issue for him, even with the divorce. He'll get a bunch of money in endorsements anyways. He'd get to reunite with Kobe and Phil, and he could win another (couple) of rings, putting him past what Tim Duncan has. That's what he said his goal has been, and there's probably just about no better place than the Lakers for that. It would be very ironic, but I could see it happen. Shaq clearly has a little bit of run left in him, given what he's done this year. Fisher/Farmar Bryant/Vujacic Ariza/Walton Pau/Odom/Radmonovic Shaq/Bynum That's a pretty slick combination, although I know some of those players (specifically Odom) probably won't be around. It would be tough for anyone to match up with them inside. Err....I hope it doesn't happen, but if (when?) it does, it will make for another great PDX/LAL rivalry.
Right now they're under contract for $67 million for the 10/11 season with most of that going to Kobe/Gasol/Bynum. That doesn't include what it would cost to resign Fisher, Ariza or Odom (or the other meaningless players). So there's no way they're going under the cap (even though it will increase a bit). The scary thing is that Shaq COULD sign for the Veteran's Minimum exception (like Malone did once upon a time) or they could use just a part of the MLE to sign Shaq. They'd then have that money to sign another quality player, especially if they have the full MLE and Shaq takes the $1 million veteran's minimum contract. So yeah, the evil empire will probably be back. Assuming they keep Kobe/Pau/Bynum/Fisher/Vujacic/Walton/Ariza and add a few pieces via FA and draft before then, that is going to be a nasty team to face. With or without Shaq. But more-so with.
well shit...you sold me! Bynum (and me)will have something to say about you putting him as a backup though
If he really wants to go L.A., I think he'll take it. He is ring-hungry, and that would be a pretty stacked team.
He'd probably be worth the MLE or at least a portion of it at that point as well. Shaq off of the bench for 15 minutes could still change games.
