fordronken
Registered User
If they can't sign Shaq and essentially keep the same roster, then you've got a disgruntled 350 pound gorilla on a team that is unquestionably Kobe's. Payton and Malone will be a year older. Would a new coach who wasn't in a coma last year really make them a champion? Or even up to the same level they were last year?
If they trade Shaq, the only thing that would really help them would be to make a deal that would help them down the road.
In my opinion, the best thing the Lakers could possibly do would be to sign Coach K., then trade Shaq for expiring contracts and draft picks(if that's at all possible). Try to move George for an expiring contract as well. Pick up a bunch of young undrafted guys that Coach K. likes, give Kobe the opportunity to lose without passing for a year, then draft like crazy and sign one player to a big contract as Kobe's number two and fill out the roster. Basically, build for the future.
If they trade Shaq, the only thing that would really help them would be to make a deal that would help them down the road.
In my opinion, the best thing the Lakers could possibly do would be to sign Coach K., then trade Shaq for expiring contracts and draft picks(if that's at all possible). Try to move George for an expiring contract as well. Pick up a bunch of young undrafted guys that Coach K. likes, give Kobe the opportunity to lose without passing for a year, then draft like crazy and sign one player to a big contract as Kobe's number two and fill out the roster. Basically, build for the future.
