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zanahale · 06-27-2004, 09:23 PM

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Jun 27, 10:11 PM EDT

Lakers' O'Neal Reiterates Wish for Trade

By CHRIS SHERIDAN
AP Basketball Writer

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Shaquille O'Neal reiterated his desire Sunday to be traded, though he wouldn't specify a preferred destination other than to say: "Everyone knows."

"I can't get into that," O'Neal said when asked to give a wish list of teams he would prefer to join.

O'Neal, who demanded a trade shortly after the Los Angeles Lakers lost in the NBA Finals to the Detroit Pistons, has put his house near Beverly Hills on the market for $7.5 million. The Lakers are known to have been fielding offers from other teams for the 7-foot-1 center, though general manager Mitch Kupchak has said he is holding out hope that O'Neal will change his mind.

O'Neal's representatives have already met with Kupchak to express their client's wishes.

"What I said in L.A., I wasn't (messing) around," O'Neal said after attending his first meeting as an officer of the players' union.

Perry Rogers, O'Neal's agent, did not return a phone call seeking comment.

O'Neal, who was chosen in February to replace Alonzo Mourning as a vice president on the union's executive council, took part in a 2 1/2-hour meeting to review an agenda centered primarily on collective bargaining issues.

The NBA's labor agreement with the union expires after the 2004-05 season. The sides have held two negotiating sessions in the past few months, the league asking for cost control safeguards including a four-year maximum length for player contracts.

The union is seeking a reduction or elimination in the so-called escrow tax, which calls for 10 percent of their paychecks to be withheld if the percentage of revenues devoted to player salaries eclipses a preset figure.

"Having him on the board, a guy that has the presence that he has around the league, and who has been so involved with business issues, it's a good additive to our executive board and brings great influence to the other guys in the league," union president Michael Curry said.

The only downer to O'Neal's day was a brief one. He left his cell phone in a men's room, but an elderly custodian found it and returned it, receiving an appreciative handshake from O'Neal as a reward.

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© 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

06-27-2004, 09:23 PM	#3
zanahale Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 119	RE:Shaq selling L.A. Mansion http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories...ASKETBALL.html Jun 27, 10:11 PM EDT Lakers' O'Neal Reiterates Wish for Trade By CHRIS SHERIDAN AP Basketball Writer LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Shaquille O'Neal reiterated his desire Sunday to be traded, though he wouldn't specify a preferred destination other than to say: "Everyone knows." "I can't get into that," O'Neal said when asked to give a wish list of teams he would prefer to join. O'Neal, who demanded a trade shortly after the Los Angeles Lakers lost in the NBA Finals to the Detroit Pistons, has put his house near Beverly Hills on the market for $7.5 million. The Lakers are known to have been fielding offers from other teams for the 7-foot-1 center, though general manager Mitch Kupchak has said he is holding out hope that O'Neal will change his mind. O'Neal's representatives have already met with Kupchak to express their client's wishes. "What I said in L.A., I wasn't (messing) around," O'Neal said after attending his first meeting as an officer of the players' union. Perry Rogers, O'Neal's agent, did not return a phone call seeking comment. O'Neal, who was chosen in February to replace Alonzo Mourning as a vice president on the union's executive council, took part in a 2 1/2-hour meeting to review an agenda centered primarily on collective bargaining issues. The NBA's labor agreement with the union expires after the 2004-05 season. The sides have held two negotiating sessions in the past few months, the league asking for cost control safeguards including a four-year maximum length for player contracts. The union is seeking a reduction or elimination in the so-called escrow tax, which calls for 10 percent of their paychecks to be withheld if the percentage of revenues devoted to player salaries eclipses a preset figure. "Having him on the board, a guy that has the presence that he has around the league, and who has been so involved with business issues, it's a good additive to our executive board and brings great influence to the other guys in the league," union president Michael Curry said. The only downer to O'Neal's day was a brief one. He left his cell phone in a men's room, but an elderly custodian found it and returned it, receiving an appreciative handshake from O'Neal as a reward. Latest News Southern Union Venture to Make Acquisition Norwegian Gov't Orders Oil Strike's End Major Union Takes Organizing Drive to Web Ralphs Grocery Hiring Probe Under Way © 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.