Could Shaq Really Return to LA?

Tomorrow night Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O’Neal will reunite with his former teammate Kobe Bryant and head coach Phil Jackson, as the Western Conference faces the Eastern Conference in the 58th annual NBA All-Star Game. But the question most Laker fans are wondering nowadays is whether that infamous trio can become a permanent fixture in Los Angeles once again. While the acquisition of Shaq would seem like a long shot on the surface, recent history suggests that anything is possible in Lakerland.

Did anybody really expect Phil Jackson, who wrote a “tell all” book about his experience with the Kobe-Shaq Lakers, to return to the club just a year after “retiring?” Did anyone believe that Mitch Kupchak could somehow trade the biggest bust in NBA Draft history for an all-star center in Pau Gasol? I sure didn’t expect either so it would be too quick for me or anybody else for that matter to rule out a possible Phil-Kobe-Shaq reunion in tinseltown.

What makes Shaq’s return to LA a possibility is the fact that he has been quite complimentary toward his former teammates and has been documenting a rather rosy picture of his time with the Lakers these past few months. About a month ago, the Big Cactus said he wouldn’t mind playing for the Lakers under Phil Jackson and alongside Kobe Bryant once again. He even went out of his way to explain that the whole Kobe-Shaq feud was simply the product of media hype.

But what has likely convinced Shaq that a return to Los Angeles is in his best interest is the fact that the Lakers will be in contention for an NBA title for the next four or five seasons, while the Phoenix Suns are likely to miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2003-2004 season.

However, even if Shaq is sold on the idea of playing in LA, the possibility that it actually happens this season depends a lot on the status of Andrew Bynum. If the young center suffers any major setbacks within the next week or two and is ruled to be out for the remainder of the season, the Lakers may seriously contemplate adding another big man such as Shaq to their lineup.

Then, the real question is what will the Lakers have to give up in return for the diesel and will it be worth taking on the baggage Shaq would bring to a championship contender. Most people have suggested that any trade involving Shaq would have to include Lamar Odom and possibly reserve centers Chris Mihm and DJ Mbenga.

If the Lakers are faced with such a scenario, would they pull the trigger?

Probably not. To be honest, I think Shaq could really help the Lakers, especially with Bynum sidelined with a knee injury. However, I really don’t see the Lakers throwing Shaq into the mix this late in the season and getting rid Lamar Odom, who has been playing so well since rejoining the starting lineup. In Bynum’s absence, Odom has averaged 16 points and 13 rebounds, while the Lakers have gone 5-1 over that stretch.

But even if Kupchak won’t pull the trigger on a Shaq trade, another question for fans to ponder is whether he should. In my opinion, now is not the time. The problem is that losing a dynamic player such as Lamar Odom would limit the Lakers offensively and in some cases defensively. For starters, Odom is a better rebounder than Shaq and is more active in the paint despite his smaller frame. Even with his imposing figure, Shaq has never been much of a defensive stopper.

But losing Odom would also limit LA offensively. Odom brings somewhat of an x-factor to the Lakers where he can play any position and is as extremely versatile. If the Lakers want to play a faster-paced game, they can place Odom at the four or five spot. If they want to play a slower, grind it out style, they can put Odom at the three or even have him run point forward. If Shaq, Kobe, and Derek Fisher, are starting than the Lakers suddenly become much more one-dimensional and half-court oriented. With Odom on the roster, Phil has the option to be much more flexible with his lineups.

Therefore, I feel as if it is in the best interest of the team to refrain from any Shaq trade and wait until his contract expires at the end of the 2010 season before they seriously consider adding him to the roster.