<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"><font size="6">Shaq isn't pushing new contract talks</font> Shaquille O'Neal made his desire for a new contract very clear when he was with the Lakers, but he's not pressing the issue during this Heat joyride. O'Neal, 33, said he doesn't object to waiting until the off-season for an extension -- something the Heat prefers and actually is in O'Neal's best interests because of the NBA's labor agreement. Shaq said he's willing to strike a ''happy medium'' in negotiations this summer, and owner Micky Arison said he has no doubts a deal will happen. Expect the sides to discuss a four-year contract. ''I believe he'll play longer than four years,'' said his agent, Perry Rogers. ''But four is the maximum allowed'' for a player his age. O'Neal, earning $27.7 million this season, is expected to exercise an opt-out clause that would nullify the last year on his contract, worth $30.6 million. If O'Neal signed an extension before the season ends (which he won't), it could run no longer than through 2007-08, according to NBA rules affecting players who will turn 36 during a new deal. Rogers noted if O'Neal waits until the summer, he could opt out of his current contract and sign a four-year deal, through 2008-09, at the end of which O'Neal will be 37. ''There is an absolute love affair between Miami and Shaq,'' Rogers said. ``Why would [he] not want to finish his career here?'' Said O'Neal: ``Would I mind if that thing gets done in the summer? I don't mind at all. I don't really worry about it because I've done the right thing.'' Should he get at least his current salary? ''I don't know,'' he said. ``It's something I don't want to talk about in the paper because I don't want to seem like I'm greedy. I don't want to be overvalued and I don't want to be undervalued. I'm not greedy by any means. 'In L.A., it was like, `We don't even want to give you $25 million. We want to give you one more than Kevin Garnett was making.' I thought that was an insult.'' No team could pay O'Neal what the Heat could. Arriving at an annual average salary could take some negotiating, because the Heat wants to be able to fill out its roster without paying a luxury tax -- which will be tricky once Dwyane Wade signs a more lucrative contract. But it would be shocking if O'Neal doesn't stay long-term.</div>Source
Well I think shaq will definately take a pay-cut because first off, he probably only has a few more years left in him, and miami can't possibly be able to keep up the demands of his contract.
