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In a trade of monumental proportions, the Los Angeles Lakers have sent Shaquille O'Neal to the Miami Heat in exchange for Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, Caron Butler and a future first-round selection. The transaction is one of the biggest in sports history and has major implications in Fantasy Basketball.
O'Neal soured on Hollywood after a tumultuous 2003-04 season that ended with an embarrassing loss to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals. Friction between him and Kobe Bryant has been well documented in recent seasons, and the dismissal of coach Phil Jackson last month appeared to be the final straw for the 32-year-old center.
The trade will allow the behemoth to dominate the Eastern Conference, which has a limited number of big men who can guard him in the low post. O'Neal likely will miss a few games -- he hasn't played more than 70 since 2000-01 -- but he should post around 28 points, 12 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in Miami. He has great motivation to succeed and will remain the most valuable center in the league.
With Odom and Butler headed to L.A., Dwyane Wade will haev an even more prominent role in the Heat offense. He should surpass his rookie scoring totals (16.2 PPG) and has a great chance to increase his assists with O'Neal in the paint. Shooting guard Eddie Jones should see more open shots from the perimeter as teams are forced to double- and triple-team the 7-footer, so he should also produce at a high level.
Shaquille O'Neal has left Hollywood for South Florida. (FND Original)
Udonis Haslem is expected fill in at the four and will have comparable value to former Heat forward P.J. Brown, who averages close to 10 points and 10 boards.
The situation O'Neal leaves behind in Los Angeles is dubious at best, especially with free-agent Kobe Bryant's interest in the Clippers. But he can make the most money with the Lakers, and Shaq's departure means he is the unquestioned leader of the team. The assumption is Bryant will remain with the Lakers, which would make him even more of an asset to owners.
He should contend for the league's scoring title without O'Neal on the roster, and will be one of the best all-around players in Fantasy Basketball.
Grant will move into the starting lineup at the center position, but an increase in his numbers shouldn't be expected. He will continue to post around eight points and eight rebounds in Los Angeles, but will struggle in the West at times against the likes of Yao Ming and Brad Miller. Butler will be utilized at small forward, where he should record around 12 points and five rebounds per game.
Odom, who is coming off his best season as a pro, will start at power forward for coach Rudy Tomjanovich. He could also be used as a point forward should Gary Payton decide he no longer wishes to play with the now Shaq-less Lakers.
A former Clipper, Odom should continue to thrive as a scorer and rebounder despite the presence of Bryant. Barring injuries, he should average around 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists in purple and gold. The potential return of veteran Karl Malone could be a hindrance to Odom's value, but the Mailman has yet to decide his future with the franchise.
O'Neal soured on Hollywood after a tumultuous 2003-04 season that ended with an embarrassing loss to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals. Friction between him and Kobe Bryant has been well documented in recent seasons, and the dismissal of coach Phil Jackson last month appeared to be the final straw for the 32-year-old center.
The trade will allow the behemoth to dominate the Eastern Conference, which has a limited number of big men who can guard him in the low post. O'Neal likely will miss a few games -- he hasn't played more than 70 since 2000-01 -- but he should post around 28 points, 12 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in Miami. He has great motivation to succeed and will remain the most valuable center in the league.
With Odom and Butler headed to L.A., Dwyane Wade will haev an even more prominent role in the Heat offense. He should surpass his rookie scoring totals (16.2 PPG) and has a great chance to increase his assists with O'Neal in the paint. Shooting guard Eddie Jones should see more open shots from the perimeter as teams are forced to double- and triple-team the 7-footer, so he should also produce at a high level.
Shaquille O'Neal has left Hollywood for South Florida. (FND Original)
Udonis Haslem is expected fill in at the four and will have comparable value to former Heat forward P.J. Brown, who averages close to 10 points and 10 boards.
The situation O'Neal leaves behind in Los Angeles is dubious at best, especially with free-agent Kobe Bryant's interest in the Clippers. But he can make the most money with the Lakers, and Shaq's departure means he is the unquestioned leader of the team. The assumption is Bryant will remain with the Lakers, which would make him even more of an asset to owners.
He should contend for the league's scoring title without O'Neal on the roster, and will be one of the best all-around players in Fantasy Basketball.
Grant will move into the starting lineup at the center position, but an increase in his numbers shouldn't be expected. He will continue to post around eight points and eight rebounds in Los Angeles, but will struggle in the West at times against the likes of Yao Ming and Brad Miller. Butler will be utilized at small forward, where he should record around 12 points and five rebounds per game.
Odom, who is coming off his best season as a pro, will start at power forward for coach Rudy Tomjanovich. He could also be used as a point forward should Gary Payton decide he no longer wishes to play with the now Shaq-less Lakers.
A former Clipper, Odom should continue to thrive as a scorer and rebounder despite the presence of Bryant. Barring injuries, he should average around 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists in purple and gold. The potential return of veteran Karl Malone could be a hindrance to Odom's value, but the Mailman has yet to decide his future with the franchise.