"Let's put that aside for now, Chen. How's Jamal's knee?"
After a moment of thought, Jackson decided to ask about the matter that concerned him most.
Jamal Mashburn!
The Lakers had been quite active in the trade market this year.
First, they poached a player from their crosstown rivals, luring away Odom with a big contract.
But they weren't done yet.
After all, why stop at just one?
They immediately set their sights on the Fast Ship's muscular powerhouse, Corey Maggette.
The Lakers had always been weak at the small forward position.
Rick Fox was getting old, and Devon George was still too green.
And to compete in the West, especially for a championship, they had to measure themselves against the Phoenix Suns. That meant they needed to figure out how to handle an elite forward like Marion.
And so, Maggette caught Jackson's eye.
