O'Neal Wants Trade to Team Kobe

Pacer yearns to go West, but LA can't meet in the middle

By Max Brallier, Newser User

Posted Aug 7, 2007 4:54 AM CDT

(Newser) – Jermaine O'Neal wants to be traded to the Lakers, and if the Pacers don't make it happen he'll bail on his contract at the end of the season, the Indy Star reports. The two clubs have sat down, but Indiana appears to be salivating over center Andrew Bynum, with whom the Lakers are unwilling to part.

The former prep-to-pro star says he'd also accept a move to New Jersey. Indiana is now indisputably staring down a rebuilding year, a prospect the championship-starved O'Neal dreads, but one the Pacers want him to play a major part in. "The expectations for the franchise and our fans is to receive fair market value in return if a trade is to be considered," a legalistic Larry Bird told reporters.

[Images (6)]

[Videos (2)]

Indiana Pacers v Los Angeles Clippers (Getty Images (by Event))

Indiana Pacers' Jermaine O'Neal watches from the bench during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, April 18, 2007, in Indianapolis. O'Neal, nursing... (Associated Press)

Miami Heat's Udonis Haslem (40) is unable to block a shot by Indiana Pacers' Jermaine O'Neal (7) in basketball action in Miami, Friday, April 13, 2007, as the Heat won, 100-96. (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter) (Associated Press)

Neal takes a break and sits in the stands in between plays against the Milwaukee Bucks in the second half of a basketball game Wednesday April 11, 2007, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Darren Hauck) (Associated Press)

Charlotte Bobcats' Raymond Felton, right, drives to the basket as Indiana Pacers' Jermaine O'Neal defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Friday, April 6, 2007, in Charlotte, N.C.... (Associated Press)

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O'Neal Wants Trade to Team Kobe