Laker Talk.

[Jackal]

Fisher gone; Shaq next to go?

Mavs get No. 5 pick, could use it in trade for O'Neal

All it took was the news out of Dallas of a trade Wednesday night to make everything that had seemed so significant to the Lakers earlier in the day -- Derek Fisher, Rudy Tomjanovich, the NBA Draft -- suddenly pale in comparison.
In what could be the prelude to a Shaquille O'Neal trade today, the Mavericks agreed to a trade with the Washington Wizards in which they would acquire the No. 5 pick in tonight's draft plus Jerry Stackhouse and Christian Laettner in exchange for Antawn Jamison.

The Dallas/Washington trade is pending approval by the league office this morning.

An NBA executive said late Wednesday that the Mavericks now would approach the Lakers with a new offer of Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard and the No. 5 pick in exchange for O'Neal.

To make the deal work, Dallas would have to find a way to add another $8 million or so in salary owed to a player or players as a way of balancing the NBA-high $27.7 million O'Neal is set to make next season.

Owner Mark Cuban had told the Dallas Morning News on Wednesday that Nowitzki would not be included in an O'Neal trade. But the executive speaking late Wednesday said the Mavericks' new offer would include the sixth-year All-Star forward.

Dallas still would be able to pair O'Neal in a lineup with Antoine Walker, Michael Finley and Steve Nash should it trade away Nowitzki.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak declined to address O'Neal's situation in detail during a Wednesday conference call with reporters, which ended only a few minutes before the trade was announced.

O'Neal's business manager, Mike Parris, did not return multiple messages Wednesday.

"I'm always optimistic that things work out for the best and I feel this will also," Kupchak said. "Obviously, the best of all worlds is that we keep this team together and carry on and win."

O'Neal demanded a trade Friday after Kupchak refused to rule out trading the center the previous day. And Cuban has said the Mavericks are interested in acquiring O'Neal.

Earlier Wednesday, Fisher decided as expected to opt out of his contract and become a free agent.

The 29-year-old guard secured his place in Lakers' lore with the shot he launched in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against San Antonio last month. But with a spot in the starting lineup not assured next season, Fisher now will see what other teams have to offer.

Fisher's decision came a day after Gary Payton decided to stay with the Lakers another year. Fisher still could return to Los Angeles for a ninth season but cannot start negotiating a new contract until July.

However, Fisher left it with the Lakers that he would like to continue playing for the team.

"It's my understanding that Derek does want to finish his career here and that's something we'd like to see happen," Kupchak said.

In Fisher, the Lakers could lose one of their most popular players, who selflessly accepted a reserve role when Payton arrived last summer. Fisher won three championships with the Lakers, made numerous community appearances and was close to Kobe Bryant.

On Wednesday, Kupchak praised Fisher for making a sacrifice perhaps greater than those made by Payton or Karl Malone, who took multimillion-dollar pay cuts to sign with the Lakers.

Fisher saw his playing time drop by more than 13 minutes per game on average this season and his shooting percentage dipped in turn, down to 35 percent. But Fisher did not grumble about coming off the bench, even though he grew frustrated.

In the end, Fisher hit the most memorable shot of the season against the Spurs, helping the Lakers dispatch the defending NBA champions. And Kupchak said he didn't think Fisher's return was as simple as being a starter or not.

"I know Derek wants to play and he wants to play significant minutes," Kupchak said. "But that may or may not mean he wants to be a starter. I'm not so sure Derek is that vain that he needs to be a starter. Nothing about his game suggests that."

Fisher was due to make $3 million next season. Houston has expressed interest in Fisher, though that could change if Steve Francis is not traded to Orlando, a deal that seemed tenuous Wednesday.

As for Tomjanovich, the next move belongs to the Lakers. After interviewing Tuesday with Kupchak and owner Jerry Buss, Tomjanovich was headed home to Houston on Wednesday.

Kupchak said progress in the coaching search could be made next week, once the draft has concluded and before free agency has started. Kupchak said he didn't think the process would stretch past mid-July.

Meanwhile, there's no telling how the draft will take shape should the Lakers obtain the Mavericks' No. 5 pick. But they will be in a familiar position with the No. 27 pick they already have.

In the past seven years, the Lakers have not picked higher than No. 23, leaving the team to take players from major colleges who came ready to contribute to championship teams. But that could change this year.

Most mock drafts have had the Lakers taking Brazilian forward Anderson Varejao or Slovenian guard Sasha Vujacic. The Lakers then could opt to have either player remain in Europe with his club team for another season.

With Fisher and Bryant both having opted out, Kupchak said the Lakers could take a guard with the pick. They also need frontcourt help with Slava Medvedenko a free agent and Malone's future uncertain.

"It always seems to go in the late 20s, there are more smaller players available than bigger players available," Kupchak said. "My guess is that we'll end up looking at a guard, just by sheer numbers."

Also: The agent for Malone, Dwight Manley, said Malone would make his decision about returning "later rather than sooner," and said Malone's health concerns would be the No. 1 issue. Kupchak said he expected Rick Fox to return next season after Fox went unclaimed in Tuesday's expansion draft.

[Andrew]

Is that deal still on the table now that Devin Harris has been selected with the fifth pick?

[Swoosh]

Contrary to most people's thoughts, i think Buss is doing the right thing, shaq should just play out his contract and then see, he still has one of the biggest contract for the next two years, and to confirm in his own words the most dominant player has one of the best contracts, he won't be that dominant anymore two or three years from now, that's why buss doesn't want to pay a fat extention and who can blame him, certainly not me!
And everybody is overreacting on the kobe-thingy, like he would simply get jackson outta there himself, of course he played an important role, but honestly, i don't think phil wanted to coach for another year, the management didn't force him out, he wanted it too.
Thoug i agree that Buss should've kept his word to shaq but you guys should relax, it's a business for a reason, things don't always turn out the way you planned.
Besides, i'm not convinced yet that next season kobe and shaq won't be playing together in LA (that would be the anticlimax wouldn't it ?)

[Steve04]

I don't think it's so much as what Buss did as it is how he went about it. There was no reason for Mitch Kupchak to say he would leave open the possibility of trading Shaq. Any smart person would say no comment. Then maybe Shaq's not infuriated and doesn't demand a trade. However, as you said it is a business. And I'm not entirely sold Shaq still won't be back either. he might play one final year and op out. who knows..