ISSUE #1: THE TRADING SHAQ SCENARIO There are actually 2 issues here..Should the Lakers trade Shaq or should they give him an extension and keep him in L.A. Shaq is starting to look like he wants out. He skipped his mettings with Kupchak and Buss, and says he wants to do what is best for himself, possibly meaning playing for a different team... As all of us know, Shaq is the most dominating force in all of basketball, and probably will be for another 1-2 years. However, if the Lakers want to get some value out of him, they are gonna have to trade him ASAP. One of the deals being discussed is shipping Shaq off to Indiana? Why? The Lakers would receive Jermaine O'neal and whatever other contracts to match Shaq. It would probably include J.Foster and Croshere's contracts.. Also, sources have been saying that Indiana might send Artest, Bender, and Tinsley for T-Mac. Then, trading Jermaine for Shaq wouldnt be so awful for them. They could possibly Have Shaq and T-Mac in the East, which could equal an automatic Finals appearance. Shaq and T-mac are boys, so they could finally play together. On the Lakers end of it, they get a young big man to play next to Kobe, as well as some decent role-players. Not too shabby.. Personally, I like this deal alot better: Shaq to Dallas for Dirk and Antwoine Walker. That gives us 2 very good shooters to play alongside Kobe. Dirk can even play the power forward spot effectively, so that would work out well. To be exact, Shaq 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. I really love Shaq, because he is my 2nd favorite player in history, and I want him to stay and win more titles with Kobe, but the outlook is bleak, I'm sorry to say.. Good luck MDE!!! STAY IN LA!!! ISSUE #2: PHIL JACKSON COACHING? Phil has a great history, but I believe it is time for him to go since he is overrated IMO. He just seems to sit on the bench alot and never does what a great coach should do (protest to the refs, set up x-o plays, etc.) Phil is the master motivator, but I don't think he is as great as everybody makes him out to be. Besides, he even said that there is a slim chance he comes back, and he could be gone as soon as tonight! In Phil's defense, the Lakers had NO titles before he came, but they were on the verge anyway, so I just wish him the best of luck. So who should the Lakers get as their next coach? Michael Cooper, Pat Riley, Rudy T. and others are being discussed. Jim Cleamons may take a job at Ohio State, so he is unlikely to take over. Hehehe, maybe Kurt Rambis?! ISSUE #3: FREE AGENTS & KOBE As has been stated, Kobe is the Laker's top priority. They are willing to take a chance on him, even though he has legal issues in Colorado. Kupchack said he firmly believes that Kobe will be back next season, and wants to end his career in Los Angeles. I am hoping that the Lakers sign him to a 7-year max contract and that he plays here forever! 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 (who will likely stay) and Jamal Sampson. However, Rick Fox and Jamal Sampson have been exposed to the expansion draft, meaning Charlotte could pick them up. Fox looks like he will retire and become an actor anyhow. 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. Malone has said that he must be healthy if he is going to come back next year, but won't play for any other team than the Lakers. I don't think the Lakers should give Karl the mid-level, because we should pursue more youth, but maybe we can convince him to take a lil bit smaller contract. Who knows?! Bryon Russell is a 95% chance of leaving, and Horace Grant needs hip surgery in order to even play again. Gary Payton and Derek Fisher can also opt out of their contracts, making them free agents. Fisher has a decent chance of coming back next year, but has expressed that he wants to be a starter and may want more money; I don't think Fisher deserves either, but I really do think we should reward him for his 0.4 shot! Payton meanwhile, really doesn't have many options besides Portland and L.A., so he is likely to return for another season. Phil Jackson is likely gone, and Tex Winters will call it quits, so that means the Lakers won't run as much of the triangle, which is to Payton's liking. All in all, the Lakers need to do the following in my mind: *Sign Kobe to a max 7 year deal. *Try and keep Shaq, but if he demands a trade, then trade him. *I am hoping the Lakers decide on Pat Riley as their next coach, but that isn't likely. *Re-Sign Slava, and Fisher *Draft a young point guard, and maybe a bigman. *Sign Rod Strickland, Adonal Foyle, or Kendall Gill (all proven veterans) The lineup could look like this next year: C-Jermaine O'neal/Foster F-Slava/Albert Miralles(6'11, from Italy) F-Croshere/George/Walton G-Kobe/Rush G-Payton/Fisher/R.Strickland/Duhon OR C-Foyle/Slava/??? F-Dirk/Walton/Miralles F-Walker/George/Gill G-Kobe/Rush G-Payton/Fisher/Duhon
What the Lakers will and should do this off-season? Retain Shaq and Kobe. They should retain Phil too, but as long as he is replaced by a worthy coach who has the same caliber as him, then the coaching issue wouldn't be a problem. Malone should stay and not retire because of the hunger for a championship, but he should only stay if Shaq and Kobe stays because they need to stay in order for him and the Lakers to have a chance for the championship. The Lakers won't win a championship next year if none of these possibilities are fulfilled.
