Heat Eyeing on Miller & O'Neal

O'Neal was traded last June. And now, with this trade deadline swirling, he is at the center of the storm again. The Raptors are ready to move him and develop Andrea Bargnani at the 5. But can the Raptors find someone willing to pay the injury-prone O'Neal $30 million over the next season and a half?

The Heat have shown the most interest. The Knicks and the Bulls also might make some sense.

Miller is big and can still be productive when he's healthy. While he's overpaid, the good news is that his contract is done in 2010. The Kings are willing to move him to create more time for Spencer Hawes. So do we have a taker? A team like the Pacers would be an obvious fit, but they can't afford to take on his salary. The Heat have been eyeing Miller. Ditto for the Bulls. But will trading for Miller really put either team over the top? ESPN.com

O'neal Still in Limbo

Basically, O'Neal remains in limbo. He knows that Toronto would like to send him to Miami for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks in a trade that would free up the Raptors' offense for Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani. He knows Miami is watching him closely and studying his medical records to make sure his knees will hold up.

"I'm just trying to get healthy, which has been the big issue for me the last couple of years," O'Neal said. The trade talk, he said, "doesn't bother me at all."

Colangelo knows he has a valuable asset, because O'Neal's $23 million contract for next season expires in time for everyone to make a frenzied run at free agents in the summer of 2010. As of now, there's no deal with Miami. And while Colangelo waits for the Heat to decide whether to move forward with it, I'm told he's not actively shopping J.O. elsewhere. Two or three teams have inquired about him, and that only strengthens Colangelo's hand. Source: CBSSports.com

Walsh Doesn't See Marbury in Miami

Walsh said Miami is not a place he'd want Stephon Marbury to wind up. Marbury said he has two teams "he can play for," referring to Boston and Miami. Walsh said, "There has to be a motivation on our part [not] to do something that could end up hurting us." Yesterday on Fox Radio in L.A., Marbury confirmed The Post's story that the Celtics gave him a commitment that they would sign him if he became a free agent. Source: New York Post

Marbury Feels Heat

Stephon Marbury officially added Miami to the list of serious suitors during an interview on ESPN's SportsCenter yesterday.

"I've spoken to Boston, to Miami, Mark Cuban (Dallas owner)," Marbury said. "All those talks I'm having is irrelevant because I can't get out of my deal." Source: New York Post

Miller soon to be a Heat?

Miller, who is still a highly productive center with one of those valuable contracts that expires in 2010, does have a skill set the Cavs would like. He can shoot from the outside and is a good rebounder, like Ilgauskas. Which is why they have had discussions with the Kings about Miller, but so have other teams. The Sacramento Bee reported Tuesday that Miller may soon be a member of the Miami Heat. Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

Kings Talk Heats Up

While many scenarios are being discussed, the Kings are closely watching the current trade talks between Miami and Toronto. If Raptors forward Jermaine O'Neal doesn't go to the Heat for small forward Shawn Marion, the Kings could be the benefactor. The Heat, numerous league sources said, has had recent talks with the Kings and offered Marion for center Brad Miller and Kenny Thomas. But Miami also wants the Kings to take Marcus Banks, the little-used, sixth-year point guard who has this season and next remaining on his contract for a combined total of $5.1 million.

Miller and swingman John Salmons remain the most likely significant players to be traded. According to a source close to the team, Portland is among the many teams that has expressed interest recently as well.

Sacramento Bee

The Heat are trying to see how the team is meshing out without Marion. So far, the Heat are good without him. Also, Mark Blount had played 2 decent games coming off the bench.

Kings Looking to Clear Cap

The situation could affect the Kings in a roundabout way. They are believed to have had discussions regarding a deal that would send Marion to Sacramento and center Brad Miller and forward Kenny Thomas to Miami. The Heat small forward has a contract worth $17.1 million that would expire this summer and potentially help expedite the Kings' sluggish rebuilding process. The Heat, of course, badly needs a big man and could use the frontcourt help during its playoff push.
Source: Sacramento Bee

Heat wants Jamario Moon in the deal.

According to a league source, the Heat also is attempting to acquire Raptors second-year small forward Jamario Moon in the deal.
Source: Sacramento Bee