The AP is reporting that Brian Shaw, who helped the Los Angeles Lakers win back-to-back NBA championships, was waived Wednesday, but it's expected he'll return to the team.

Shaw was owed $2.3 million for this season. If the 6-foot-6 guard clears waivers Friday, as expected, the Lakers can re-sign him for the veterans' minimum of $1 million.

Under NBA rules, only $600,000 of that money would count against the salary cap, meaning the Lakers would save $1.7 million in salary cap space and won't have to pay the luxury tax as called for in the collective bargaining agreement.

Had they not made this move, the Lakers probably would have had to pay the luxury tax or not sign Mitch Richmond or Samaki Walker during the offseason.

The 35-year-old Shaw was aware the move was coming several weeks ago.

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