SOURCE: Las Vegas Review-Journal

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"The trade keeps the Lakers at the top of the playoff mix, and once Bynum returns, the Lakers will be a very difficult team to match up with in their triangle offense," Kruger said.

"Assuming Bynum comes back healthy, the Lakers, with offensive threats galore coupled with their depth, should make it to the NBA Finals."

The Suns responded with a desperation deal, sending former UNLV stars Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to Miami for Shaquille O'Neal.

The Mavericks got Kidd from the Nets, and the defending champion Spurs found low-post help by getting Kurt Thomas from Seattle.

"I'm surprised with the Suns trade. I'm not sold that's going to get them over the hump," Walker said.

"How long can Shaq play? Is he going to play 25 or 30 minutes a game? He will be rejuvenated a little bit, but motivation is not his problem, it's Father Time."

"I don't think the Suns and Mavericks did anything to get ahead of the Spurs and Lakers."

Kruger said Phoenix was forced to gamble on O'Neal, and the positives might not be evident until the postseason.

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