The latest team in the hunt for Shaquille O'Neal is the Los Angeles Clippers believe it or not.

"Several seasons ago, owner Donald Sterling preferred remaining coach-less during the summer simply to save salary. Now he's prepared to do whatever it takes, it appears, to acquire Shaq as well as extend his substantial salary several seasons in order to keep him beyond the next two."

Peter Vescey says, so put as much weight into it as you want, that the Clippers are ready to part with Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, Melvin Ely, and Quentin Richardson.

"That shows they've got a serious thing for Shaq. But if they're dead serious about generating unprecedented overnight credibility, advertising revenue, season ticket holders and unearthly interest, as well as assembling a championship contender, it's probably going to cost them the fourth overall pick in the draft."

"The Charlotte Bobcats, in return for taking Sterling off the hook for Predrag Drobnjak's 2-year obligation ($2.55M/$2.7M) swapped Nos. 4 and 33 for No. 2; Shaun Livingston, a 6-7 prep point guard, is the object of Mike Dunleavy's desire should the Lakers fail to squeeze the Clips for the equally prime real estate."

"A Shaq-Kobe feud in the same town would be anything but petty. The likely stiff competition between the two teams would be watered down compared to their trash talking. Laker loyalty would be ripped apart like never before and everybody would profit as a result."