At that time, there won't be any bad teams betting on Shaq for just a one-year temporary usage, and O'Neal will be able to join a competitive team as he desires.
Shaq needs to change teammates, and most importantly, he needs to go to a team willing to offer him a long-term contract in 2003 or 2004.
Of course, Shaq's team also knows that this summer Roger is very likely to leave Atlanta, and then the Lakers will have a chance to win the championship.
But O'Neal really can't stand Kobe and the Lakers, whether they win the championship this year or not, Shaq will leave.
Of course, if he could leave with a championship, that would be the best!
The day after the Hawks knocked out the Pistons, the Los Angeles Lakers also won against the Sacramento Kings in Game 6, successfully advancing to the Finals with a 4-2 victory.
Because in this timeline, the Lakers had Grant Hill, so they were not dragged into a Game 7 by the Kings.
