Lakers Offering Odom for Jermaine O Neal?

The World Famous Layup Drill Rumor Mill

While many league executives figured Jermaine O’Neal would be heading to Miami for Shawn Marion any day now, it now seems there is a new front runner in obtaining the services of the big man. The Toronto Sun reports today that the Los Angeles Lakers have contacted the Raptors about offering forward Lamar Odom and his expiring contract for O’Neal.

The Lakers, who had at one time attempted to land O’Neal when he was a member of the Pacers, are obviously not completely sold on the prospects of a Bynum and Gasol front court in the postseason, and this move could help both teams now and later.

If the Heat do not land O’Neal, their plan B seems to be targeted around Kings’ big man Brad Miller or Mavericks forward Josh Howard.

A Howard-for-Shawn Marion swap may get some buzz around the net, but Dallas reportedly is not interested. Meanwhile, Sacramento, who had originally looked to Charlotte for a deal for Miller, may wait a few more weeks to see who comes up with the best package for the veteran center.

In a follow up from yesterday’s report about Vince Carter being shopped, The Newark Star-Ledger ponders that very question, while looking at the Nets' long-term future without the star.

The Richard Jefferson deal was supposed to mark the start of the rebuilding phase in New Jersey, however, the Nets' management haven’t seem to have made up its mind.