Shaq for Odom and Brian Grant would be one of the dumbest moves in Lakers history! I cannot see how they would trade the most dominate player in the game for Brian Grant (one of the worst contracts in the NBA) and Odom (Clippers didn't even want him). If Miami was to put Dewayne Wade into the deal that would change everything, but come on now Grant and Odom for Shaq! Shaq should be traded for another big name player like Dirk Nowitzki or Jermaine O'Neal not for Brian Grant and his ridiculous 14 million dollar contract. All Laker fans should be outraged if this trade was to happen. Mitch Kupchak does not know what he's doing if he was to let this trade go through. I am against trading Shaq but, if it has to happen there are many different deals out there, Lakers shouldn't rush a deal especially this one. I was wondering how other Laker fans feel about this joke of a trade.
Shaq To The Heat!!! Heat Fans Are Salivating!!! <font color="Red">SHAQ TO MIAMI </font> The deal should include Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, and Brian Grant(+other players to even out the $). Which really means Odom and Butler because releasing Grant is doing Miami a favor by unloading his massive contract! The Heat MUST take advantage of this situation! Shaq wants out of L.A., and L.A. wont trade him to a Western Conference team so that leaves Miami as the only team Shaq is willing to play for. Miami MUST make this deal. It's a no brainer. Even if Miami gives up their 1st Round picks for the next 2 years. IT'S SHAQUILLE FREAKING ONEAL!! STARTING LINEUP: Dwyane Wade Eddie Jones Rasual Butler Udonis Haslem Shaquille O'neal The Heat will give up anything EXCEPT for WADE.
I'm not sure about this one. Miami would be perennial finals contenders with Wade, Odom and Butler (with Wright to come on board), whereas they'll only have a 2-3 year window with Shaq, and after that, they'll just have Wade and Wright. If they are to do this, they'd have to give the MLE to a PG or SF, just to limit the time that Dwyane Wade or Eddie Jones have to see at PG or SF, respecitvely. Maybe Stephen Jackson, he'd be a nice perimeter threat... Alternatively, the could go for a PG (is there anyone left? Would Skip reneg on his verbal commitment to Toronto?) and look at signing Eric Williams to the LLE. Wade Jones (Dorrell Wright as his long-term replacement) Jackson Haslem/Beasley Shaq
I'm not too sure Miami will be getting something they need as of now. Shaq is aging and has maybe 2-3 GOOD seasons in him at most, and as of now Miami has an incredible nucleus of players. I think Miami would be hurt by this trade in the long run, and could make the Lakers contenders down the road again. This trade seems too lop-sided in L.A.'s favor, IMO. Yes, maybe this year the Heat would be contenders in the East (due to the lack of TRUE big men), but think about the long run. Miami still would have to deal with a incredible Detroit team in the East just to get to the finals. I believe the Heat should pass on this deal because they'd end up doing better with the core players they have now. If this trade does go down, I believe the Lakers front office will be pulling off a steal (which is what they wanted when dealing Shaq). If Kobe stays: B. Grant Malone? Odom Bryant Fisher? ^^That's a pretty strong lineup IMO
Who cares about the long run. If they can win now then it's so much worth it in my opinion. Can you guarantee that with their current roster now that they would win a championship within 10 years. I'm not saying with Shaq that it is guaranteed but there is a much much better chance. Win it now and rebuild again later on just like they did and every franchise has done. Lakers, Pistons, Bulls all have gone through it.
If I were Kupchak I wouldn't deal Shaq to Miami unless it included Dwyane Wade. Wade is probably untouchable (as he should be) but if you want someone like Shaq on your team you have to make sacrifices. I'd rather see a trade of EJ, Grant and Wade before Odom, Butler and Grant. Maybe throw in a draft pick, too. Yes that does seem like a lot, but if you want to win a ring right away, you have to give up a lot to get the most dominant player in the game. I'm not saying this would happen, I just think that's what the Lakers should do if they want a deal with the Heat.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Phreeze:</div><div class="quote_post">If I were Kupchak I wouldn't deal Shaq to Miami unless it included Dwyane Wade. Wade is probably untouchable (as he should be) but if you want someone like Shaq on your team you have to make sacrifices. I'd rather see a trade of EJ, Grant and Wade before Odom, Butler and Grant. Maybe throw in a draft pick, too. Yes that does seem like a lot, but if you want to win a ring right away, you have to give up a lot to get the most dominant player in the game. I'm not saying this would happen, I just think that's what the Lakers should do if they want a deal with the Heat.</div> I agree that Wade would be a nice fit, but, knowing that Wade is untouchable, why would the Lakers even ask? Wade is the future of that organization. I don't believe he should be traded nor should the Heat offer him in any type of a trade. Plus, with the trade you offered, outside of Wade, it's terrible. Eddie Jones is getting old and has a terrible contract and that's the same thing with Brian Grant. With Odom, Butler, and Grant, they get two players in Odom and Butler who still have some of their best years ahead of them in my opinion. That's why I go for it if they throw in Butler. But, if they offered you're trade, granted I'd probably take just for Wade, but, Eddie Jones and Brian Grant each have their best years behind them. That's why I don't like you're trade. The one with Butler and Odom instead of Jones and Wade seems more like one for the future to me. You get two fantastic young players who still have good years ahead of them and you also get a veteran center. With yours, you get an aging shooting guard who is losing a step, a veteran center, and a potential superstar in Dwayne Wade. So, like I said, the only appealing part of that trade is Wade. The other two are aging and have bad contracts. I say, if they do throw in Butler to go with Grant and Odom, take it. It could be as good as it gets for the Lakers.
wow the Lakers would be getting robbed HUGE in this one...they better demand Butler, because the Heat will have a low pick with that type of lineup...Shaq/Wade/EJ/Butler/Wright/Haslem...easily top 3 in the East...If its really up to Miami, what are they waiting for?? They better pull the trigger before some sense gets knocked into the Lakers...
This is terrible, Riley isn't dumb enough to completely dismantle the solid core of this team to RENT Shaq out for 1 season, and even that he only has 2 or 3 good years left in him. Riley has already publicly stated that he will not tear down the team that he has built to acquire Shaq. There is no guarantee that Shaq won't opt out of his contract and Shaq isn't the same player he used to be, now I don't mean to take anything against Dwyane Wade but the Heat will still have to go through the Detroit Pistons to even make it to the Finals and the Fakers got destroyed when they faced the Pistons in the Finals even with Shaq and Kobe! Shaq can't even win with Kobe anymore so what makes anyone think he'll be able to win with Dwyane? Shaq isn't the same player he used to be and if the Heat do this deal, they will be doing it with one thing and ONE THING ONLY in mind: Filling the seats in American Airlines Arena during the regular season. Lamar Odom doesn't sell seats, but Shaq does, and if this deal goes down that will be the only reason Riley and Pfund approve of it. Odom and Dwyane have an amazing chemistry, they'll be playing on the olympic team together, and it only gets better from here on out. Why ruin this for a 1 year rental of Shaq? Once Shaq is gone, this team will be in complete disarray and in rebuilding mode again. Shaq alone is not capable of winning championships anymore and just because he is in the east makes no difference at all. :thumbsdow Shaq :thumbsdow
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Accord:</div><div class="quote_post">There is no guarantee that Shaq won't opt out of his contract and Shaq isn't the same player he used to be Why ruin this for a 1 year rental of Shaq? Once Shaq is gone, this team will be in complete disarray and in rebuilding mode again. Shaq alone is not capable of winning championships anymore and just because he is in the east makes no difference at all.</div> I disagree with you in the beginning Shaq won't opt out of his contract because he would lose so much money, he'd be an idiot if he does. I agree with your second point, the Heat have a great team, but if you can get Shaq, you would do it. Shaq can win without Kobe, he's been doing it before Kobe became a household name. Shaq took a lot of crap from the Lakers organization recently and I hope for his sake this trade is finalized soon. I'll become a Shaq fan again. The Heat screw themselves long term, but in short term, they can get to the eastern conference finals, if they get lucky, to the NBA finals, but championship?? i doubt it, unless Shaq is really hungry for it and wade plays like wade. Hopefully the Kings in 2005.. As for the guy who started the post (lakers4ever i think) there is NO WAY the mavs, heat or the pacers trade nowitzki, wade, and j. o'neal for shaq they are young and great players. Those teams would be stupid for trading their stars, You say the lakers would be stupid for doing the heats deal, they get Odom a great player, Clips didn't want him? they couldn't match the offer from the heat because the heat made a big offer for brand, so the clips used most of their salary cap for elton, too much for odom when the heat offered for him. I think Kobe is just for waiting Shaq to leave before coming back to the Lakers..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting holyace2k2:</div><div class="quote_post"> You say the lakers would be stupid for doing the heats deal, they get Odom a great player, Clips didn't want him? they couldn't match the offer from the heat because the heat made a big offer for brand, so the clips used most of their salary cap for elton, too much for odom when the heat offered for him. I think Kobe is just for waiting Shaq to leave before coming back to the Lakers..</div> The Clippers could have matched the deal for Lamar Odom if they wanted to. They didn't want him back because they didn't think he was worth the risk and money. Brand's contract was big, but it wasn't THAT big either. They had the right to match any offer, no matter what the amount was. Same with Andre Miller, they just didn't want to match it.
Wade will remain in Miami. You can count on that people. Miami will be rocking if the Shaq becomes a Heater. I bet ya that Riley will coach the Heat if the Shaq comes down here. The newspaper writers and sport radio jockeys say that the Shaq will be the biggest sport star in Miami's history- even bigger than Dan Marino! The only thing that the Heat front office should be saying to the Lakers is, What do you want? Of course Wade will be hidden from view. Wade stays! Everyone down here in Miami will be dancing in the streets if this deal happens. All indications point to this deal happening and I am thrilled about the entire thing. Go Heat!
I really hate that trade... I'd like it if it included Rafter Alston or Eddie Jones, Eddie Jones back with the Lakers, boy Retro Lakers .
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Nuggets15:</div><div class="quote_post">I really hate that trade... I'd like it if it included Rafter Alston or Eddie Jones, Eddie Jones back with the Lakers, boy Retro Lakers .</div> Skip is gone man, the Raptors signed him to a 6-year $29 million dollar contract in free agency like a week ago.
Sorry but I can't take anyone seriously who thinks the lakers should get back Eddie "never shows up in playoffs" Jones. He just not the same player that he used to be. BTW if anyone of you guys saw this years playoffs you would know that EJ choked game 7 in the second round of the playoffs by shooting that shot that went over the backboard and out of bounds to the pacers. I would much rather have odom, grant(for cap relief later when his contract ends), Caron Butler(has potential) and a first round pick(hopefully shaq gets injured in Miami) and the heat stink for next year. Shaq has expressed that he does'nt want to be on the lakers anymore so its better to trade now rather than have him be stubborn this upcoming season and risk losing kobe to another team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ericdabbs:</div><div class="quote_post">Sorry but I can't take anyone seriously who thinks the lakers should get back Eddie "never shows up in playoffs" Jones. He just not the same player that he used to be. BTW if anyone of you guys saw this years playoffs you would know that EJ choked game 7 in the second round of the playoffs by shooting that shot that went over the backboard and out of bounds to the pacers. I would much rather have odom, grant(for cap relief later when his contract ends), Caron Butler(has potential) and a first round pick(hopefully shaq gets injured in Miami) and the heat stink for next year. Shaq has expressed that he does'nt want to be on the lakers anymore so its better to trade now rather than have him be stubborn this upcoming season and risk losing kobe to another team.</div> The Heat won't stink for next year, we already made the 2nd round of the playoffs this year and with our current roster we're pretty much a LOCK to win the SouthEast division which guarantees us at least a top 3 seed in the east which puts us in perfect position to at least make it to the 2nd round again. The Heat will be in the Eastern Conference Finals next season, with or without Shaq.
They'll get third... Know why? They are a lock to come out on top of their division (New divisions/conference arrangements, rememeber?) So: the Heat go up against: Bobcats Hornets Magic Wizards Hawks Only contender is the MAgic. And, it's like the normal way of placement... Leade of Divisions get a lock in the top 3 so Miami will definately be in the 3 spot.
From what I've been hearing on ESPN and reading on ESPN.com it sounds like this is pretty much a done deal. Although I'm pretty sure the Lakers will be making another deal or two after this, it looks like Shaq is really gone. I'm actually looking forward to the change, and I can't wait until next season starts.
