Shaq to New Orleans?

[Andrew]

Yes, there's a rumour for you, courtesy of the New York Daily News.

Unfortunately, the Knicks probably won't be able to land any of the big-name players who could be on the move this summer. Shaquille O'Neal thinks he's going to New Orleans in a deal for Tyson Chandler. The Hornets are eager to move Chandler and would like Shaq's expiring contract.

It wouldn't be happening until this offseason anyway, but I'm taking it with a grain of salt to say the least. Still, with the way Shaq seemed revitalised this season it could work out for the Hornets for a year or two, with Shaq taking the city's nickname for his own.

[Stress Fracture]

Holy S***! No, the Hornets shouldn't trade Chandler. He's becoming one of the best centers in the league today. He can be a superstar if he stays in New Orleans.

[FiZzO]

Holy S***! No, the Hornets shouldn't trade Chandler. He's becoming one of the best centers in the league today. He can be a superstar if he stays in New Orleans.

Chandler is just a solid starting center not one of the best in the league (if we're talking like 5-7 best), take CP away and he cant do anything on offense. No matter how little there is left in Shaq (i mean like years in the NBA not contribution) he is still far better than Tyson on both ends of the floor, would be great for the Hornets to make a deep playoff run next season, because they obviously are not gonna be making one this year.

[Andrew]

If there's any chance of it happening it's worth a gamble on New Orleans' part and if Phoenix is going to shake things up (despite asserting they're not) then it's a deal I could see them making. Right now it does just seem like a wild rumour though.

[Lamrock]

This would be a great move for both teams. It improves the Hornets' chances at a title run, and helps them save money. Phoenix gets the kind of Center they want. This won't happen though; makes too much sense.

[Alejandrov011]

New Orleans must add somebody to have similar contracts.

Shaq $20M

Chandler: $11M?

There is a 9 million difference, any name? Posey?

[shadowgrin]

Posey, no. Peterson and the sensational Sean Marks. It works in ESPN's trade checker.

Rasual Butler has made Mo Pete expendable, and Mo Pete made himself expendable.

[Andrew]

Probably throw in a couple of draft picks and that seems like a feasible trade.

[The X]

Posey, no. Peterson and the sensational Sean Marks. It works in ESPN's trade checker.

Rasual Butler has made Mo Pete expendable, and Mo Pete made himself expendable.

not Sean Marks he's finally playing some minutes & games with Hornets....going back to Suns, may as well retire

[shadowgrin]

Mo Pete is in the trade to balance the financial aspect. Sean Marks is in it for the skill aspect. Tyson Chandler is not equal to Shaq's abilities. Only Sean Marks can fill that void in the trade.

[Oakrhum]

The Big Jazz?

[shadowgrin]

The Big Easy.

[Alejandrov011]

The Big Hornet?


Sounds gay

[el badman]

Doesn't Shaq come from Louisiana in the first place? You see a lot of players who wish to end up playing where they started, so I guess that would make sense.
Agreed that Chandler is just a "solid" center, he's a great rebounder and post up defender but he's just too damn soft and seems to spend most of his time on the injury list.
And Mo-Pete is pretty useless at this point.

[Andrew]

Doesn't Shaq come from Louisiana in the first place? You see a lot of players who wish to end up playing where they started, so I guess that would make sense.

He went to LSU, but he was born in Newark and grew up in San Antonio.

[el badman]

Huh, I really thought he was from the Bayou for some reason...
Either way, I can see the Big Diesel play for that team. After the last failed attempt to deal Chandler, I'll believe it when Shaq actually wears their jersey though...

[benji]

Have you ever seen Blue Chips?

[tee-pane]

If Nash, Hill, O'Neal can play another healthy season then I'd like to see them play together again.

[Andrew]

Have you ever seen Blue Chips?

Matt Nover probably had the finest moment in that one.

[Sauru]

why would the suns do this? make a trade so we can hold onto the 9th place in the west? they need make some real moves that will help them in the future, not just 1 season where you might grab the 8th seed

[Andrew]

Well, Shaq's revival this year might make him easier to trade but his contract sure doesn't. It's not like Chandler would be the focal point of the team, he'd be filling a similar role to the one he does with the Hornets. Shaq's presence hasn't helped Amar'e as much as the Suns would've hoped either, so if they plan on keeping him around Shaq is likely the one to go, especially since Amar'e should certainly have more years left in the league.

[Sauru]

i think they should trade shaq, and make several other moves as well. they need to get ready to rebuild for the future, being the 8th/9th team will only keep people interested for so long. i dont think chandler improves them much at all

[diddy]

oneal brings 21 mln cap space next season, NOK is willing to rebuild, and phoenix, i believe, do it for the same reason, they'd take a center + may be 1-st rounder or another expiring!

[Andrew]

i think they should trade shaq, and make several other moves as well. they need to get ready to rebuild for the future, being the 8th/9th team will only keep people interested for so long. i dont think chandler improves them much at all

Oh absolutely, Chandler alone wouldn't solve everything. If they are going to rebuild/re-tool, such a move would be but one step in that process.