Apparently, Kobe needs an O’Neal, and it doesn’t have to be Shaq.

Yep, coming to the brand new 2007-08 NBA basketball season in November, we could very well see Kobe Bryant team-up with another O’Neal, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to God-knows-where.

It turns out that current Indiana Pacers forward, Jermaine O’Neal, now wants the Pacers to trade him to Los Angeles. And with Kobe Bryant clamoring for help, Kobe just might get what he wants provided he stops making all these trade requests out of Tinseltown.

”It’s time for me to move on. And the Lakers are the team I want Indiana to trade me to,” Jermaine O’Neal said. He also added that he already made his intentions clear to Pacers management after a series of meetings with team officials.

”I love Indiana and the fans and we have a lot of nice young talent, but obviously [the Pacers are] in a situation now where they’re rebuilding. I told them I can’t be in a rebuilding mode right now.”

”I’m at a point in my career where I can’t wait another five years to contend. I’m not in a position physically to take in five years of losses and downtime,” the soon-to-be ex Indiana Pacers forward said.

Originally, the Indiana Pacers wanted to include Lamar Odom and 19-year-old Andrew Bynum as part of a package for Jermaine O’Neal but there are reports that claim that the Los Angeles Lakers countered by offering Kwame Brown and Brian Cook, instead of Odom, to come along with Bynum.

”Larry Bird is a hard man to deal with,” Jermaine O’Neal said, referring to the Pacers big boss. ”He tries to make unfair trades. He wants to gut a team, but the Lakers are trying to get over the hump. I want Indiana to benefit, but with some nice young players and draft picks. I want to make it clear that I don’t want to gut a team that I come to because then it’ll be like I’m in Indiana all over again.”

”If things don’t work, I have an option in my contract next year and I will opt out and become a free agent.”

Who will win the 2007-08 NBA championship? Bet on Bodog today.

Los Angeles Lakers 25/1

Detroit Pistons 9/1

Cleveland Cavaliers 10/1

San Antonio Spurs 4/1

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Los Angeles Lakers Jermaine O’Neal