Does Shaq Want to Return to the Lakers?

The World Famous Layup Drill RumorMill

Weekend Edition 11/15-11/16/08

The morning after both the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics lost in the same night, there seemed to be something strange in the air.

No, it wasn’t that spring-like warmth that greeted me outside as I woke up to a sunny 75 degree Saturday morning, it probably felt the same in LA, as Baron Davis and Los Angeles Clippers' Head Coach Mike Dunleavy had kissed and made up.

Davis told the LA Times Friday, “It’s hard when you first start off in any situation, and you want to be perfect.” The Clippers woeful start is anything but perfect…

It looks like the next disgruntled veteran to be bought out of his contract could be Jamaal Tinsley.

The Indy Star reported this morning that Tinsley’s agent approached the Indiana Pacers' management about buying out his contract, which is more than $21 million dollars over the next three seasons.

Many feel that Tinsley would receive some offers from some teams looking for help in the backcourt, including the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, New Jersey Nets, and Golden State Warriors.

Tinsley’s agent may also be trying to get his player on the market before Stephon Marbury is bought out of his contract with the New York Knicks.

In perhaps the most interesting news of the morning, The LA Daily News reports Shaquille O Neal has not ruled out a return to the purple and gold in 2010.

O’Neal, who seems to be making every effort he can to mend the fences with Kobe Bryant, said he never had an issue with Kobe when they played with the Los Angeles Lakers.

O’Neal is quoted as saying, “I swear to God we never had a problem.”

He blames the riff between them on Phil Jackson, saying Phil should have stepped in when he felt tension in the locker room between the two superstars.