Lakers Take a Gamble on Shaw

Brian Shaw, a cornerstone of recent Laker teams in his play and guidance, was waived Wednesday morning, hours after accepting his second championship ring in two seasons.

Due to earn $1.9 million, with incentives to $2.25 million, Shaw was deemed too expensive by the Lakers, intent on staying beneath the NBA’s luxury tax ceiling.

Still, Shaw might not be through with the Lakers. If Shaw goes unclaimed in the 48-hour waiver period, thus making him a free agent, the Lakers probably will offer him a contract for the veteran minimum of $1 million and ask him to return to his former role as reserve guard and de facto captain.

Shaquille O’Neal, still dripping with sweat from an afternoon practice at the club’s facility in El Segundo, shook his head sadly. Shaw, a teammate in Orlando as well, is among O’Neal’s closest friends, a player O’Neal recommended to management before each of the championship seasons.

“Hopefully, it’s not a business move gone wrong,” O’Neal said. “We’ll have to wait and see what happens. If it doesn’t backfire, I won’t have a lot to say. If it does backfire, I will have a lot to say.”

A veteran of 12 NBA seasons who will be 36 in June, Shaw was notified of the Laker management’s intent Tuesday night, after a 98-87 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Shaw did not score in 15 minutes, but, typically, had seven rebounds and four assists.

He officially hit the waiver wire at 4 a.m. PST Wednesday. He will clear by Friday morning if the remaining 28 teams, worst to best based on last year’s records, pass on him at his current contract rate.

The contract, negotiated before last season, was to become guaranteed in early December.

Shaw stopped by the practice gym Wednesday morning, then left for his home in Oakland. According to Shaw’s agent, Jerome Stanley, there is no arrangement for Shaw to return to the Lakers if he isn’t claimed. In fact, asked if Shaw were too angry with owner Jerry Buss and General Manager Mitch Kupchak to consider a Laker offer, Stanley said, “I can say he regrets the decision to be waived. Right now, his focus is on the process of the waivers, and on his being waived. That’s where his attention is. Friday is a long way away.

“I’m not sure how it’s going to work out. I do know that Brian’s contributions to this team have been exceptional, that he’s one of the team’s better players. I know he has been a key ingredient to their winning these last two championships. This is a gamble on their part that, frankly, I would not have taken. And we have not entered into any deal.”

Kupchak, who presented the news to Shaw, said the transaction was the cost to the organization of adding Mitch Richmond, Samaki Walker and Lindsey Hunter in the off-season. The luxury tax ceiling has been projected at about $54.7 million, though the exact number won’t be known until after the season. The Lakers were over that, by at least $1 million, with Shaw.

“Before we waived Brian, we probably were in it,” Kupchak said. “We may still end up in it. We’re kind of working in the dark.”

The timing of the waiver request was carefully considered. For one, it allowed Shaw to participate in Tuesday’s ring and banner ceremony, in uniform, with teammates who adore his easy nature and subtle skills.

“That was definitely a consideration,” Kupchak said.

For another, teams only recently pared their rosters to the NBA limit, 15 or less, including a maximum of three on the injured list. There are a lot of players looking for work, and most teams are dancing with the luxury tax, as the Lakers are.

While Shaw proved invaluable relieving the injured--Derek Fisher, Ron Harper and Kobe Bryant, in particular, last season--and the tired, the organization determined him to be a luxury they could not afford. With a healthy roster, Shaw is the fifth guard.

Kupchak said he told Shaw this summer of this possible outcome, and that Shaw chose to risk it, rather than free agency. Coach Phil Jackson said he hoped Shaw would be back Friday.

“We’re just going to go about our business and see what happens,” Jackson said. “Obviously, it’s a calculated thing. He’s an important cog to our team the last two years.”