Diesel pulling out of Miami?

A check with the NBA office this week confirmed that should O'Neal announce and sign retirement papers after this season, bypassing the final two years on his contract, his future salary would be wiped from the Heat's salary cap. Immediately, that would give the Heat the space to, say, add a Luol Deng or Elton Brand, with enough space left over to address at least one or two additional needs — and still sign that lottery pick. Wade. Deng. Haslem. University of Memphis point guard Derrick Rose. And spare change for the very type of complementary players the Heat lacks this season. Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Shaquille O'Neal has proven to be many things in his four seasons in South Florida. Could he next be the Big Benefactor, willing to walk away from the $40 million owed on his contract over the next two seasons? It certainly is a reach, longer than those Size 23 sneakers, wider than those biceps at full flex. But it also is the easiest way out for the Heat for at least two more years. Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

It was just eight years ago when O'Neal expressed distress over seeing Knicks center Patrick Ewing, at the end of perhaps an overstayed career, being booed at Madison Square Garden during the playoffs. "What they did to him is wrong," O'Neal said at the time. "I would just quit. I know for a fact I won't be playing at 38." His current contract says otherwise. O'Neal did not make himself available for comment Wednesday. Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel