Done Deal! <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> A little less money for Shaquille O'Neal means really big things for the Miami Heat. The Heat signed O'Neal to a five-year deal worth $100 million on Tuesday, the first day free agents could officially sign with teams. By O'Neal agreeing to a deal that pays him $20 million annually, the Heat has the financial flexibility to surround him with quality talent and avoid paying a luxury tax next season. And the talent is already on its way. The Heat on Tuesday was also finalizing the details on a five-team trade that would send Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, James Posey and Andre Emmett to Miami. The Heat would send Eddie Jones to Memphis, Rasual Butler to New Orleans and Qyntel Woods to Boston. The Celtics would also receive Curtis Borchardt, the rights to the Heat's 2004 second-round pick Albert Miralles and two more future second-round picks. Utah would receive Greg Ostertag, and the Hornets, who are under the salary cap, would also get former lottery pick Kirk Snyder. Boston also would receive two second-round picks. All parties were attempting to finalize the trade through the NBA on Tuesday night. The deal includes Walker, 28, signing a six-year contract worth $52 million. The Heat would ideally like to use Walker off the bench, similar to the role Heat assistant coach Bob McAdoo played with the Lakers in the 1980s. The Heat's preferred starting lineup would include Williams, Dwyane Wade, Udonis Haslem and O'Neal, with the small forward spot still to be decided. Posey played only 50 games last season because of injuries to both feet, and his health may be a concern to the Heat. With the flexibility the Heat has the team would still like to use at least part of its $5 million mid-level exception, and a move to acquire a starting-quality small forward would likely be the team's top priority. The acquisition of Michael Finley seems less likely, with the Mavericks now looking to trade the swingman to an Eastern Conference team. The Heat could wait and see what players are waived using the new ''amnesty'' clause by the Aug. 15 deadline. The free agent swingmen currently available are limited, incuding Vladimir Radmanovic, Latrell Sprewell and Kareem Rush. Damon Jones also remains an option to re-sign, though the Heat could be having second thoughts about a point guard tandem of Williams and Jones. Many of these options were made possible because of O'Neal's contract. The franchise center opted out of his previous contract, which would have paid him $30 million next season. O'Neal could have demanded his new contract begin at or near that number, but by giving up a few million annually, O'Neal has allowed the Heat to surround him with players that can lighten his load and therefore extend his career. O'Neal's contract will keep him with the Heat until he's 38 years old. ''It couldn't have been a better negotiation on both sides,'' O'Neal's agent, Perry Rogers, said. ``This was a win for everybody.'' ``If you can't go out and get the players, then [O'Neal's] going to get beat up more, and then maybe he wouldn't want to play as long. ``He's beyond ecstatic. That's what it's all about. It's about winning.'' O'Neal is also friends with Williams, who, like O'Neal, has a home in Orlando. With a lineup that includes Williams, Wade and O'Neal, the Heat has run-and-gun elements to contend with the likes of Phoenix as well as stable halfcourt elements to contend with the likes of the Spurs and Pistons. The Heat, though, is losing Jones after five years with the team, four of which he led the team in scoring. Thrust into the lead role after Alonzo Mourning was lost to a kidney disease in 2000, some considered Jones a disappointment, largely because he came with a long-term, maximum contract. But in the past two playoff seasons, South Florida fans began to warm up to Jones, whose consistent defense, versatility and timely offense were critical to the Heat's success. Rasual Butler spent three years with the Heat after being drafted in the second round in 2002. Frustrated with his declining role last regular season -- he started the first 15 games of the season but eventually was used sparingly -- Butler had a revival or sorts in the playoffs, playing 12 of the Heat's 15 games and averaging 4.7 points. Still, Butler should be happy with the prospect of more playing time with another team, and joining the Hornets gives Butler a good chance of playing regularly. Adding to the intrigue of the trade, the Heat opens the preseason against Memphis in Puerto Rico and the regular season in Memphis.</div> Source
