MIAMI (Ticker) -- Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat may be parting ways, according to a published report on Tuesday. The Heat told representatives for the future Hall of Fame center that they are talking about trading him, and he should be prepared for the possibility of a deal, the Miami Herald reported. The newspaper said that the Heat have dicussed sending O'Neal to the Phoenix Suns for forward Shawn Marion and point guard Marcus Banks. O'Neal has been made aware that discussions with the Suns are serious and ongoing, but that a deal was not definite, according to the report. The Dallas Mavericks also reportedly have been mentioned as a potential destination - though the Heat had not immediately informed O'Neal of that possibility. Trading O'Neal, who has been out the last six games with a hip injury and played in just 32 contests this seasons, would accelerate the rebuilding effort Miami likely is to undergo. The Heat (9-37) have the NBA's worst record. The 11-time All-Star has two years left on his contract after this season and is scheduled to make $20 million in each of the next two campaigns. Marion, 29, is a four-time All-Star and considered one of the NBA's most athletic forwards. The 6-7 Marion has averaged 15.8 points and 9.9 rebounds this season for Phoenix. The 26-year-old Banks has averaged 5.2 points and 1.0 assist as a backup to Suns superstar point guard Steve Nash.
I could actually see Cuban making this trade if he's convinced Shaq will be motivated again to play basketball. If Dallas can get Shaq for spare parts and not give up any core players it might work. Shaq-Dirk-Howard is a front line that has the size to compete with the Lakers, Spurs, and Jazz.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ Feb 5 2008, 07:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Phoenix would be retired to do this. Shaq can't even play in that system</div> retired? WTF
Ya, i really dont see how shaq would be better for that team than marion is. He's gonna need a plastic hip soon.
Makes no sense for the Suns, Zero sense. They lose their running game, they would actually add on cap which is the opposite of what they are trying to do. Mavs I could see.
