Orlando's Tracy McGrady averaged 28.0 points per game in 2003-04, tops in the NBA. Rocky Widner/Getty Images

Say this much for the NBA. It doesn't waste any time firing up the old hot stove league.

They might still be cleaning up the confetti in Motown, but the maneuvering for 2004-05 has already begun. Kobe Bryant. Shaquille O'Neal. Tracy McGrady. Steve Francis. Vince Carter. Those are just some of the big names being mentioned as possibly headed to new destinations. Throw in Allen Iverson, who's always on the trade market (even if the Sixers deny it), and it's shaping up as one wild summer.

The biggest story right now is in L.A., where the Lakers are in turmoil. Phil Jackson is gone, Shaq has demanded a trade and Kobe is set to test the free agent market. There is still a good chance Shaq and Kobe will be back (Shaq's huge contract makes a trade difficult), but it's looking more likely now that one or the other will be wearing a different uniform next season.

Meanwhile, McGrady could be on the move in Orlando. While both McGrady and Magic GM John Weisbrod denied published reports the 6-foot-8 superstar demanded a trade Friday in a meeting with team owner Rich DeVos, team officials have made it clear they'd listen to offers. McGrady has an opt-out clause in his contract next summer, and the Magic don't want to risk losing him without compensation as they did in '96 with Shaq.

How about a Shaq-for-McGrady trade? Don't count on it. Shaq is due to make $28 million next season. That means the Magic would probably have to include Grant Hill (two more years, $30 million) in the deal to make the salaries match up. Besides, would Bryant agree to share the ball with McGrady any more readily than he did with Shaq?

The Pacers, Rockets and Suns are more likely to join the T-Mac sweepstakes. McGrady is close to Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal, and Indiana president Donnie Walsh admits he's spoken to the Magic in recent days. The Pacers could offer a package including some combination of Ron Artest, Al Harrington and Jonathan Bender. McGrady also has told friends he'd be interested in Houston (which could offer Francis) and Phoenix (which might deal Shawn Marion).

Another indication that McGrady's days in Orlando might be numbered is that Weisbrod now says the team will probably keep its No. 1 overall pick in Thursday's draft rather than trade it for veteran help. The Magic were said to be awed by Dwight Howard's workout on Saturday, perhaps enough so to make him their top pick over Emeka Okafor.

"I think we have a very difficult decision on our hands," Weisbrod said. "This kid [Howard] is Grade A."

As for the Lakers, they clearly have made re-signing Bryant their top priority. Lakers owner Jerry Buss has decided to take his chances that the 25-year-old star will beat the rap on his criminal case in Colorado. L.A. is going all-out to keep Kobe, even if it means alienating Shaq. Buss' strategy makes sense for several reasons. Shaq has two more years left on a contract that will pay him $30 million in 2005-06. He wants a lucrative extension, but at age 32 he's already past his prime with a history of nagging injuries and somewhat lax conditioning in recent years. The bottom line is Shaq has a contract, and if the Lakers can't trade him he has no other choice but to play in L.A.

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The Lakers are no doubt hoping Shaq and Kobe could somehow agree to play together next season. It might be one reason why former Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich has emerged as the first candidate to replace Jackson. Tomjanovich is known as a players' coach, and he has experience running a balanced inside-out system from his days coaching Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler.

Other names mentioned for the vacant L.A. position include Pat Riley, George Karl and current Lakers assistants Jim Cleamons and Kurt Rambis. Riley said Saturday he had not been contacted, and that he was currently in negotiations to extend his contract as president of the Heat. He also reportedly has a clause in his current deal with Miami that gives him a significant ownership stake if he stays through next season. Karl knows Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak well from their University of North Carolina days, but it is unclear yet if he's a serious candidate for the L.A. job. Cleamons will get an interview, but he is also in the running right now for the Ohio State job.

Marty Burns covers pro basketball for SI.com.