Trading the Lakers' Enemies? I Don't Think So

Shaq can't even proclaim himself "The Big Trade."

The defending Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic trumped Los Angeles Laker ex Shaquille O'Neal's move from the Phoenix Suns to the Cleveland Cavaliers when they acquired Vince Carter from the New Jersey Nets.

Carter's relocation to Disney World seemingly would keep the Magic in control of the ever-increasing wild, wild east. Although, it is intriguing to imagine what The Big Change of Address (five teams in the career of the most dominant center of our generation? Hard to fathom) might do for King James -- His Royal Poor Sport -- and the Cavs if Shaq is properly motivated.

Yet, the biggest immediate threat to a potential Laker dynasty -- if properly healed -- comes from our Green "friends" in Boston.

If Kevin Garnett can return to 100 percent form from the knee injury that derailed his 2008 season just inches from the start of the playoffs, the hated Celtics remain the most viable candidate to make good on that "Beat L.A." chant.

Remember, Boston was one game away from knocking Orlando from the postseason in the Eastern Conference semis without Garnett, not to mention Leon Powe.

Sure, two of the key figures in the Celtics' 2008 run to the title -- the New Orleans Hornets' James Posey and 77-year old P.J. Brown -- aren't returning anytime soon to help them.

And the Chicago Bulls almost eliminated the C's in the first round.

But the scary thing about the Celtics is their toughness was evident as ever in the playoffs despite their short stay. And that was without Garnett, their toughest player.

Whether Garnett can regain his form is a big question. Despite Boston's valiant effort in the postseason, Paul Pierce showed he needs Garnett -- or maybe another wheelchair incident -- to make him the threat he was in 2008.

Plus, general manager Danny Ainge is playing a calculated game of "Chicken" with point guard Rajon Rondo, in hopes that Rondo's own trade rumors might motivate him to elevate his game in Boston.

If both scenarios fall the Celtics' way, they can easily find another veteran free agent hungry for a chance at a title, like they did with Posey, and get themselves right back in contention.

Meanwhile, the trade that should concern the Lakers most comes not from the east, but rather from their other bitter rival: the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs' acquisition of Richard Jefferson puts them back on the roadblock map ... provided Mano Ginobili makes a 100 percent recovery from his ankle injury and Tim Duncan doesn't look older.

Jefferson makes San Antonio more athletic and more potent offensively. Plus, the Spurs are one of the contenders that have the ability to attack a Laker weakness -- point guard defense. Tony Parker, already a great scorer, will be a bigger threat with Jefferson on the wing to prevent defensive help.

Make no mistake, the Lakers still should be the 2009-10 preseason favorites to win the NBA title if they can stay intact -- by re-signing Trevor Ariza, Lamar Odom, Shannon Brown and retaining Zen Yoda Phil Jackson. Hopefully, their run to the '09 title taught them the toughness and blueprint required for another championship.

Andrew Bynum's development remains the primary task in creating a dynasty. If he can produce in the postseaon the way he was doing before his knee injury in January, the Celtics, Spurs, Magic and Cavs could join forces and still not stop L.A.

OK, they could, but you get the point.

Carter gives the Magic another scoring threat, but how much better can they shoot than they did in Game 3 of the finals? And the Lakers still were one possession away from winning the game. Carter must prove he's a defensive upgrade if Turkoglu doesn't re-sign, and when was the last time Vinsanity was accused of playing defense?

If Turkoglu does re-sign ... Carter and Turkoglu on the floor together? I can hear the chants now. "De-fense-less! De-fense-less!"

Shaq gives the Cavs a low-post scoring threat and he's interior defense still is good. But O'Neal will clog the lane when James, a.k.a., The Chosen Traveler, tries to drive to the basket. And lest we've forgotten about Shaq's pick-and-roll defense when he was a Laker ... well, do you think it'll get any better eight years later with a 37-year-old Shaq?

That's why the Celtics and Spurs -- and their injury reports -- should be foremost on the Lakers' radar in the offseason.

If Carter teaches Dwight Howard how to shoot beyond 4 feet, then it'll be a magical trade in Orlando. Unless the Cavaliers find another outside scorer, all King James may have acquired was The Big Court Jester.