[Lynx]

I admit that I was against trading Shaq but now I have realized that it was best decision for the franchise. It took me a while to really understand it since I have no clue about CBA rules.

[Jorbroni]

Originally Posted by mang

That isn't exactly the case, but IMO Laker's future > Miami's, which was why the Shaq trade was made.

Maimi

1) Younger superstar who IMO is just as talented as Kobe and everybody loves playing with. And has
not reach his prime.

2) More tradable assets that teams would want.

Lakers

1) A superstar who lost the respect of many of peers in the NBA. Who is playing in his
prime years.

2) Most valuable trade asset is Lamar Odom. (who they do not want to trade)


How is the Laker's future brighter than Miami's

[essaywhuman]

Originally Posted by Jorbroni

Maimi

1) Younger superstar who IMO is just as talented as Kobe and everybody loves playing with. And has
not reach his prime.

2) More tradable assets that teams would want.

Lakers

1) A superstar who lost the respect of many of peers in the NBA. Who is playing in his
prime years.

2) Most valuable trade asset is Lamar Odom. (who they do not want to trade)


How is the Laker's future brighter than Miami's

Cap space in 2007 and Andrew Bynum. Obviously you can make a case for the Heat's future as well with their young superstar in Wade and some nice prospects (Wright, Simien), but Shaq's contract was pretty bad. I just feel the Lakers have the better future.

[Jorbroni]

Good point.

I didn't think about the cap space that the lakers will have in 2007 compared to Mr. Money In The Bank's contract in Miami.

The hardest part is gonna to be trying to get free agents to want to come play with Kobe.

[GoDWade]

Originally Posted by mang

Cap space in 2007 and Andrew Bynum. Obviously you can make a case for the Heat's future as well with their young superstar in Wade and some nice prospects (Wright, Simien), but Shaq's contract was pretty bad. I just feel the Lakers have the better future.

was the draft pick for Bynum from the trade or from laker's record?

edit: I disagree with those who say that the Lakers have the advantage from this trade. The Lakers had already traded two of the three players that came with the draft, and the players they got in return are not exactly helping Kobe that much, while Odom seems to be playing well but he still doesn't seem fit in playing next to Kobe

[Blink4]

Originally Posted by Jorbroni

Good point.

I didn't think about the cap space that the lakers will have in 2007 compared to Mr. Money In The Bank's contract in Miami.

The hardest part is gonna to be trying to get free agents to want to come play with Kobe.

I disagree with that. Many players in the league (Amare, Lebron, Artest etc.) have said that Kobe is an unbelievable player and is in his own league. Although he is slightly a crazy lunatic, most NBA would probably love to play with him.

[JNice]

..

The assertion that the Lakers made out better in the trade because of the "future" is pretty ridiculous. The Heat immediately had a shot at a ring just barely missing the Finals and the Heat will end up being right there again by the end of this season. There are no guarantees that the Lakers will even make the playoffs this year, let alone have a shot at making it to the Finals.

On the same token, I don't think it was necessarily bad for the Lakers because obviously Kobe and Shaq could no longer exist. Something had to be done. But don't kid yourselves, if Kobe and Shaq were getting along the Lakers would have kept Shaq in a heartbeat.

[Yao Mania]

nevermind Shaq's impact on the court, Miami instantly became a big market team following the Shaq trade. Overall trade worked out for both teams.

[EHL]

Originally Posted by Jorbroni

Good point.

I didn't think about the cap space that the lakers will have in 2007 compared to Mr. Money In The Bank's contract in Miami.

The hardest part is gonna to be trying to get free agents to want to come play with Kobe.

Yeah, by far the biggest reason was money. Shaq wanted a 9 figure contract extension, Buss wanted a team that had flexibility to improve and young players around a younger player with a better contract (Kobe). Andrew Bynum is also the Lakers' future, along with Bryant, and whoever the Lakers sign with their max slot in 07. If Bynum and the max slot pan out, the Shaq trade (not the players themselves, but what it allowed the Lakers to accomplish financially) will look better than it does now (right now the trade looks like it hasn't done anything for the Lakers).

[EHL]

Originally Posted by JNice

But don't kid yourselves, if Kobe and Shaq were getting along the Lakers would have kept Shaq in a heartbeat.

Naw, I don't buy that. Shaq wanted way more than he was worth. Looking at how he has played this year, and knowing the Heat signed him through 2010 at $20M per, I for one am glad the Lakers traded him, even though Shaq and Kobe would have had a decent shot at a title last season had they stayed together one additional year.