SHAQ TO HEAT IN BLOCKBUSTER
The Los Angeles Lakers acquired forwards Lamar Odom, Brian Grant and Caron Butler, and a future first-round draft pick from the Miami Heat for center Shaquille O'Neal.
What does it give the Miami Heat
A short-term title shot and redemption for Pat Riley. Odom and Butler is actually a steeper price than many thought (both might become stars) Miami would give up, but there truly is only one Shaquille O'Neal--this generation or any other. While there are plenty of good swingmen and forwards like Odom and Butler in the NBA, there are only a scant few dominant offensive centers on the planet. 'Shaq Diesel' isn't just one of those guys--he's THE guy. Pat Riley has always insisted on having a dominant pivot (see Abdul-Jabbar, Ewing, Mourning et al), and now he has Shaq.
What does it give the Los Angeles Lakers
Two young stars and a whole new start. The key to the deal was obviously Odom, but less obvious is just how good he and Butler can be. Odom's career got off to a shaky start with injuries, suspensions and inconsistency; this past year, he broke out and established himself as a star. Butler took a while to get going but was Miami's best player in the playoffs. Neither guy is yet in his prime, so the future is bright in L.A.--especially if the re-signed Kobe Bryant is found not guilty at his rape trial. If Odom keeps improving, he could be the next Kevin Garnett.
Fantasy impact
