It was released today that Jerry Buss,Lakers Owner, is doing everthing possible to retain Kobe Bryant. Over the next 2 weeks Bryant will make a court appearance in Colorado, and announce he is opting-out of his Lakers contract, making him a free agent. Having turned down maximum-value extensions for 2 years, Bryant will be offered the most the Lakers can pay under the cap: 140 million for a seven year contract. Before accepting, Bryant will listen to offers from coast to coast. And at every stop, he will be dictating more than financial terms. No team, including the Lakers, can make and offer until July 1st. At 25, the 6-time All-Star and free agent for the first time, Bryant will be in position to excercise ultimate leverage over potential emplyers, and is expected to do so. Sometime soon, then, the Lakers might well become Bryant's team. If that means getting rid of coach Jackson and former MVP Shaquille O' Neal, Buss has stated he is prepared to do so. The Lakers must file their protected list for next week's expansion draft today. Rick Fox and Jamal Sampson are top candidates to be left unprotected. The team will not have to protect Malone, who declined to exercise his option Wednesday and became a free agent. Jerry Buss has not yet said if he wants Coach Jackson back, while Jackson has not said if he wants to return to the Lakers. Buss plans to keep or not keep Jackson based on catering Bryant. Jackson and his staff are under contract through June 30th and will be assisting in next week's draft. Jackson doesn't plan to speak publicly untill he has made personal decisions about his future. "Maybe losing this one, this opportunity is enough for me to say that it's time to give it up," Jackson said after the Piston's victory. " But right now im not ready to make that decision." Malone became the first player to cut ties with the organization when he decided to excercise a 1.65 million option for next season. "If he decides to play again, the magnantimous, generous act that he did this year does not need to be repeated," said agent Dwight Manley, reffering to Malone's decision to aquire a below-market salry last summer. "That was a one year gift" Simply put, the Lakers are willing to give up Shaq for Kobe. Discuss
I believe the Lakers are right. Shaq might be still dominant, but his injury problems and his age would eventually drive the Lakers into the ground sometime. Kobe, meanwhile, is young and could turn out to be a MVP in the future. Buss should try to build around him instead of letting him go. Payton and Shaq could be traded for another superstar so that Kobe and that other player could form a Kobe/Shaq-like duo.
Well I can see what Buss is thinking kobe is the future of the lakers if he stays like it or not because shaq is 32 years old and no were near what he use to be in terms of conditioning or attitude he is still a very dminating player but age and weight has lowered his level of play and phil jackson as great a coach as he is if he signs a extentsion would only coach for like 3 or 4 more years while kobe is would and could if he is aquited and stays in shape play 15 more years in the league so I could see what Buss is doing but if he does get rid of shaq he needs to bring in some sort of big man cause the lakers have no real power forward or center on that roster besides for malone and shaq malone is a free agent if they trade shaq they have no one and grant will probable retire so thats what I think.
A big discussiion point here tho is, how big will the market be for shaq, what could the Lakers get for him etc.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KG-MVP:</div><div class="quote_post">A big discussiion point here tho is, how big will the market be for shaq, what could the Lakers get for him etc.</div> they would probable look into either making a possible trade to orlando and having a kobe tmac back court or try to get several great role players to depthen there team or since francis is on the market possible make an attempt at aquiring him or possible someone like a shawn marion or vince carter basically it would have to be someone with a little bagage imo because of shaq's age but im not sure teams would definitly offer up super stars mabye k-mart or something so many names of possible people you could get.
I think that he can be going to a team like New York. They can absorb his big contract and his presence can keep the NYC fans happy. Another team is Orlando. They'd sure like to have Shaq back and they might be willing to pay the price of T-Mac. Anyhow, rest assured that if Kobe's back in LA, don't expect Shaq to be there, and vice versa.
The wolves would benefit greatly from shaq but they dont have much to offer or would want to lose in place.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KG-MVP:</div><div class="quote_post">The wolves would benefit greatly from shaq but they dont have much to offer or would want to lose in place.</div> Possible a couple of players such as wally, kandi, and hudson and a couple of picks would be able to mabye get the lakers intrest yes it would be alot of talent going to the lakers but for a former mvp 3 time world champ and multy time all star would it be a small price to pay I dont know I guess I would be torn because I really like hudson but you never know so It could happen.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KG-MVP:</div><div class="quote_post">True, but the fact that Shaq is on the down-side of his career depreciates his value</div> Yes even though he is on the down side of his career barring injuries and free throws he is still one of if not arguable the most dominating force in basketball today he is basically the wilt chamberline of our day a player with great offensive and defensive abilities that is hard to stop if at all control by practically anyone alone but as a team like the pistons showed he can be contained and for us that would not be a problem because unlike the lakers we have KG who can hit any shot on the floor even if forced the occassional three we have great perimeter shooting with spree if he is resigned and cassel and we have tight defense with KG and hassel imagine the rebounding we would have with the league leader in rebounding KG and shaq together
All true that he's still a huge dominant force, but that trade may be ideal to what the Lakers are looking for.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chinkboi:</div><div class="quote_post">Well... if shaq leaves LA will not be a true contender for the title...</div> Not necessarily: They might not jump right back into the competition, but they would have to do it in a way they aren't used too: Without the most dominant player in the league carrying them. Buss's plans are in the interest of long-term. He did a few years back by aquiring Jackson,Kobe and Shaq, it worked well, but all good things come to an end, and now its time to refresh things. Keeping Kobe and losing Shaq is a great future plan, given they get the right players in return for him. They want to build a team around Kobe. A well put togther team that functions correctly as opposed to a star-filled one with little to no chemistry(as demonstrated this last season, no disrespect) If, for example, the Lakers were to trade Shaq to the Wolves for Olowokandi, Sczerbiak, and Hudson, they would be getting a young center full of potential, a veteran forward with good jumpshot, and a veteran skilled PG that is capable of scoring plenty of points. Toss in some future draft picks and you may have a fair deal. A couple players later that could be a great Lakers team, they probably wouldn't be championship contenders the first year for obvious reasons, but they could have a lot of potential. A lot of things are going to happen, Kobe's only getting better, Lakers fans should be hoping to keep Kobe instead of Shaq because its in the best interests of the team. If you love them you gotta let them go
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> If, for example, the Lakers were to trade Shaq to the Wolves for Olowokandi, Sczerbiak, and Hudson, they would be getting a young center full of potential, a veteran forward with good jumpshot, and a veteran skilled PG that is capable of scoring plenty of points. Toss in some future draft picks and you may have a fair deal. </div> The Kandiman full of potential? Isn't that what they said when he came into the league out of Pacific? He's got to be one of the most over rated players out there. I like the idea of a trade for K-Mart, as that will give them some power down low, and I would also love to see what Shaq and Kidd could do together!
Kobe wants to be the man of the team, which means hes the best, everything goes through him. How do Lakers want to build a good team with less talented players than shaq etc. around this kind of person? I mean, look at Orlando, Tracy plays the role that kobe wants to play. Do you really want that sort of Lakers? Id prefer having 3-5 real good players than one particular, cause Kobe wouldnt want any other stars like shaq or other potential players in his team so he can be in the middle. Im not sure about keeping him at Lakers.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KG-MVP:</div><div class="quote_post">Cassel,Spree,Shaq,KG and Hassel I would love that</div> That's what I would like as well, but it's Cassell and Hassell by the way. However, I feel the same for the Heat in the sense, we virtually have all positions with great players, all we need now is a C to truly dominate. Do you want someone with his attitude and work ethic or such young, hard working teams? That must come into account as sure he's dominant, strong, but he's lazy and never thinks. Plus imagine the consequences, KG, Sam I Am and Spree are our main guys, we have no need for an "always go to guy", no need for triangular offense, that might be what he wants.
The Lakers should trade Shaq to Phoenix... Try to get Amare, Marion, or something along those lines... I would love to see Amare/Kobe run a fast break! Or even Matrix/Kobe/Amare fast break would be better! Joe Jonhson too! LOL. We should Trade Shaq and George for those 3 guys... Would that work out Salary cap-wise? Or try to get K-Mart from the Nets... You know he's tired of losing over there!
I love the idea of losing Shaq and keeping Kobe. Kobe is on the upside of his career while Shaq the Diesal is on his downside. I would think if the Lakers are going to move shaq out of La, that they better do it now. And they should also try to get some good quality guys in return for shaq to help kobe. Because Shaq is getting no younger and i'm not sure what teams are willling to give up thier young guys for an older out of prime Shaq. Kobe MVP 2005
well, any team would have kobe over shaq just because shaq is older and kobe still young. But how will the lakers do without shaq if they didnt have shaq? i dont think the lakers can be the good team that everyone knows if shaq leaves. Lakers probably wouldnt make it to the finals.
