Reconstruction of the Lakers
 

Phil was shown the door yesterday, although you could argue he was pretty much shown the door months ago when the team cut off extension negotiations with him. Shaq has evidently demanded a trade, not wanting to be a part of a Laker team with Kobe supplanting him as the MVL - Most Valuable Laker.

My queries...

(1) Who do the Lakers replace Phil with? The first reports are that they contacted Rudy T. and Henry Bibby, with other alternatives mentioned as Pat Riley, George Karl, Jim Cleamons and Kurt Rambis.

(2) Who can and will the Lakers get for Shaq? He sounds pissed off and bitter, which might be good enough for at least two more dominant years, which should be good for at least a superstar and some other stuff. Dallas and Indiana have been mentioned as possible trade targets, but you'd have to figure that pretty well every NBA team would want to make a pitch for the Diesel.