Phil Jackson told Jerry Buss today that he won't be back as Lakers coach. Kobe opted to become a free agent. And Shaquille O'Neal asked to be traded, sounding as if he means it.

"The direction they're going in, if they're going to continue to go in the same direction, I don't want to be a part of this," O'Neal said.

"I wanted to let you guys know, this is something I've been thinking about for a long time," he said. "When I was brought here by Jerry West, there was a team concept. ... It was something I wanted to be a part of. Now no one cares. I told you I'm all about winning championships. Now the organization is different. It seems right now they're trying to pit one person against another."

"Therefore," he said, "I don't want to be a part of that..."If any GM out there wants a hard-working big man who wants to win championships, call Mitch Kupchak, because he'll entertain offers," O'Neal said. "My last six, seven years, I want to be on a great team.