Shaq trade in serious talks

***Latest Update***
Shaq will be flying Wednesday to Phoenix for exam. If successful, he maybe a new member of the Suns. Marion is also reported to be fine with this trade.

MORE sources from ESPN ESPN Shaq Trade Rumor



This source was reported by Sun-Sentinel. Sun-Sentinel

"The courtship that began with a diesel truck motoring up to AmericanAirlines Arena in July 2004 soon could have The Diesel headed back out of town.

Numerous sources, both those close to the Heat and some aware of NBA personnel moves, confirmed Tuesday that the Heat is engaged in talks to trade center Shaquille O'Neal.

An industry source close to the situation confirmed Tuesday night that there is a deal being discussed that would send O'Neal to the Phoenix Suns for forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks.

The source, who initially viewed the deal as implausible in light of the Suns' fast-paced approach, said he now could see it come to fruition within 48 hours, if it comes to pass at all.

The Heat has had interest in both Marion in Banks in recent seasons, linked to each in various trade speculation.

Marion is enticing both because of his athletic, well-rounded game, as well as having a contract that has only one additional season, at $17.8 million for 2008-09 on his deal.

Unlike O'Neal, who has two additional seasons, at $20 million per year left on his contract, an acquisition of Marion could allow the Heat to enter the free-agent market no later that the 2009 offseason, and possibly as early as this coming offseason, should the versatile forward chose to opt out of his contract this summer for the lengthier deal elsewhere.

Banks has three additional seasons on his contract beyond this season, at an average of $4.5 million per year. While he has proven inconsistent in his time with the Celtics, Timberwolves and Suns, his presence could ease the expected departure of Heat point guard Jason Williams, who becomes a free agent this summer.

Suns coach Mike D'Antoni was evasive on his Tuesday radio show on Phoenix station KTAR.

"It'll be until it won't be," D'Antoni said of the rampant speculation of an impending deal. "As soon as nothing happens, it goes away."

Days after Heat coach Pat Riley said "there's no truth" to an ESPN report that said the team was quietly shopping the center, one of O'Neal teammates said Tuesday "there are some rumblings" regarding O'Neal leaving the team.


While O'Neal underwent a second MRI Tuesday on his inflamed left hip, someone with knowledge of the situation said the center mostly has been biding his time in light of the Heat's 9-37 record, the personal distraction of a pending divorce, and the hope of ending his career in a winning situation.

O'Neal said last week that he was confident a deal would not be sprung upon him, that Riley would work with him, with that process apparently under way.

"I've been in the league 15 years," O'Neal said. "I've seen it all, been through it all. I've just got to sit back. We have the type of rapport that hopefully they would call me."

While O'Neal's current statistics continue to have him as one of the more productive centers in the Eastern Conference, his play has significantly declined since he helped lead the Heat to the 2006 NBA title.

O'Neal turns 36 next month, having missed significant time in each of his seasons with the Heat.

Should O'Neal be dealt, it could entice center Alonzo Mourning to push forward in returning from the devastating knee injury he sustained in December, possibly for a midseason comeback in 2008-09.

Word of the possible O'Neal trade came just hours after guard Dwyane Wade said it was clear that something had to change.

"We can't forfeit the rest of the season," he said. "I've never been a guy to point fingers and blame [others]. I'm also a part of the problem. I don't know what it is."

The Heat goes into tonight's game with the league's worst record and has lost 19 of 20.

"It is never fun when you're losing," Wade said. "It is hard to find the joy in being down 15 or 20 every game.""




This source was reported by the Miami Herald. Source Here

"The Heat has told center Shaquille O'Neal's representation that it is talking about trading him and he should be prepared for the possibility of a deal, according to two officials close to the situation. Phoenix has discussed sending forward Shawn Marion and point guard Marcus Banks to the Heat in return for O'Neal.

Asked for confirmation, one of O'Neal's representatives said O'Neal has been made aware that discussions with Phoenix are serious and ongoing, but that a deal was not definite.

Dallas also has been mentioned as a potential destination, though the Heat had not immediately informed O'Neal of that possibility.

O'Neal, 35, was shocked by the turn of events, an associate said. O'Neal helped lead the Heat to the 2005-06 championship, but Miami has struggled since, losing in the first round of the playoffs last season and opening this season with a league-worst 9-37 record.

After this season, Marion can opt out of the last year of his contract worth $17.1 million. If Marion opts out, trading O'Neal would give the Heat substantial salary cap space this offseason, when potential free agents include Gilbert Arenas, Baron Davis, Elton Brand, Antawn Jamison, Ron Artest and Corey Maggette.

Marion, 29, is a four-time All-Star and considered one of the NBA's most athletic small forwards. Marion, 6-7, is averaging 15.8 points and 9.9 rebounds.

Banks, 26, is averaging 5.2 points and 1.0 assists. After this season, he has three years left on his contract worth a total of $13.4 million.

O'Neal, who has been out with a hip injury, has two years left on his contract after this season. He will be paid $20 million each of the next two seasons.

On Tuesday, coach Pat Riley said O'Neal was scheduled to have a magnetic resonance imaging exam on his ailing left hip, which has kept him out the past six games.

''We just want to back it up and see, after two weeks, what it shows,'' Riley said.

Riley gave no indication as to when O'Neal would return to the lineup. Riley said O'Neal must strengthen his legs before returning to action, and that the center will be one of six players to miss Wednesday's game at Detroit.

Heat officials were on their way to Detroit and could not be reached for comment."

If the strategy is to open up cap space and bring another really good player to the Heat next year, this may very well be true. Phoenix may be desperate enough to believe Shaq has 1 or 2 more years left in him and try to win a Championship in Phoenix this year.