Shaquille O'Neal turned quite a magic trick yesterday when signing a seven-year, $120 million deal. He's vanishing from the Orlando Magic roster and will reappear wearing No. 34 with the Los Angeles Lakers officially on Oct. 5 in Honolulu.

That's when the Lakers open their preseason training camp at the University of Hawaii. The team likely will use both the Special Events Arena and Klum Gym between Oct. 5-12.

Los Angeles has held seven of its last eight camps in Klum Gym. However, concerns have been raised about potential injuries due to the humidity and slick court conditions.

"The Lakers would prefer to use the arena, but we have to work out a schedule with (women's) volleyball," said UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida. "We have to convert the arena (court) from volleyball to basketball configuration.

"I think from a crowd-control standpoint, Klum is a lot easier to control. The practices are closed, but there are always crowds outside the gym."

For the first time since opening here in 1988, the Lakers' preseason exhibition games are expected to be held at the 10,225-seat Special Events Arena instead of Blaisdell Arena (7,575 seats). Los Angeles will face a still-unnamed opponent in games tentatively set for Thursday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 12.

The UH Wahine volleyball team has WAC matches scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 11 against Wyoming and 4 p.m. Oct. 13 against Colorado State.

"My guess is that Shaq's impact for star appeal will be similar to that of Magic Johnson," John Black, the Lakers' director of public relations, last night. "He'll be something new for the people of Hawaii, who are probably more familiar with the Lakers than with the Magic."

Ticket prices have not been announced for the Lakers' exhibitions.