While promoting his "Shaq Vs" show, Shaquille O'Neal stated that he wanted to play out the final year of his contract in Cleveland and then see about coming back to the Lakers.
Um. Okay.
First off, I don't think owner Dr. Jerry Buss wants anything to do with Shaq. O'Neal really rubbed Buss the wrong way as he whined about his contract, got surgery "on company time", slacked off during the season and then throwing grenades as he was walking out the door in 2004.
Second off, this is only a good move for Shaq. Shaq back to the Lakers means we get to watch a reunion show of sorts. It would seem like all is forgiven and Shaq could retire from the team that will end up defining him.
Also, this isn't 2004. Shaq is declining, while Kobe is the league superstar. Kobe doesn't need Shaq and neither do the Lakers. Andrew Bynum will start earning major bank this year; Pau Gasol is paid even better; and Lamar Odom comes in to form a nice rotation. Plus, would you risk Shaq rocking the boat? This is a team that has a perfectionist in Kobe Bryant, a hot-head in Ron Artest, a moody Odom, an impressionable Bynum and could be coached by the Zen Master himself.
Why would Kobe want him back? Despite all the star power there, Kobe is The Man in Los Angeles. If Shaq went back, Kobe would still be the best player on the team but Shaq would turn into The Man among the media and, possibly, the other Lakers.
And finally, the Lakers cannot afford him. Unless he comes to LA for the veteran's minimum or the $2M exception, he can't fit under their cap or luxury tax threshold.
Shaq will be a Laker again when he's long retired. He'll come back to LA to see his No. 34 jersey retired among the other Laker greats. That's the only time he'll be a Laker again.
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