This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
With the Lakers desperate for a big man, Vlade Divac told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that he would like to rejoin the Lakers.
From Vlade to Shaq to Vlade again?
Divac is 36 years old and a shell of his former self. And while his former self was an above average NBA player, he still became a Laker liability at times in his final two seasons in LA. Vlade's free throw misses against San Antonio in 1994 cost the Lakers a potential playoff upset. He did fit in well in Sacramento where he became famous for flopping all over the place, especially against Shaq.
Unfortunately, the Lakers cannot get by with Brian Grant at center, and Vlade is probably the best-available option. Mitch Kupchak cannot wait all summer for Karl Malone to make up his mind on returning, and at 41 it's questionable if Malone's knee could even hold up.
So LAist is on board. Bring Vlade back to LA!
