The Suns and Cavaliers in Trade Talks For Shaquille O'Neal

[Brian Damage]

Talk between the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers of a trade that would have Shaquille O'Neal playing with LeBron James next season has not gone beyond the preliminary stages and no deal is imminent, two executives with knowledge of the discussions told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard.

The clubs have not spoken within the past few days, but sources say talks of a possible trade involving O'Neal, Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic never completely died after it was first discussed in February.


Performance Upgrade
It's no secret that Shaq moving to the Cavs would be a definite upgrade at the center position. The only question is if the Shaq Cleveland hopes to acquire will be the one who played in 75 games this season (his most since the 1999-2000), or the Shaq who only averaged 63.5 contests, including a 40-game season three years ago, in his previous eight campaigns.


O'Neal, 37, will make $20 million next season in the final year of his current deal, while Wallace will make $14 million in the last year of his contract and Pavlovic $4.9 million with only $1.5 million guaranteed.

The salary swap is close enough to make the trade work under the salary-cap guidelines, and the Suns would save $10 million in the transaction -- $4.5 million in salary and $5.5 million in luxury-tax payments.

They could save even more money if Wallace takes a buyout, a possibility that was raised when Wallace said he was considering retirement after the Cavs' Eastern Conference finals loss to the Orlando Magic.

If the Suns acquired him and bought out his contract for less than face value, they could lower their actual expenditures, although the full amount would still count toward their luxury-tax total.

Cavs GM Danny Ferry and Suns president Steve Kerr, former teammates in San Antonio, are good friends who speak often, and a possible Shaq trade has always remained on the back burner.

Cleveland aggressively pursued O'Neal in February, offering Wallace and Pavlovic. Phoenix was not interested in Wallace because his contract was not expiring and instead wanted Wally Szczerbiak.

Eventually, Phoenix pulled out of the deal because it wanted to see if the trio of O'Neal, Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire could make a deep playoff run under then newly-hired coach Alvin Gentry.

Now convinced that they are no longer contenders, the Suns fully intend to move one of their big contracts. With Stoudemire being a young building block and Nash a local icon, O'Neal, whose salary is the largest on the team, makes the most sense.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4257421

[TVFactFan]

Talk between the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers of a trade that would have Shaquille O'Neal playing with LeBron James next season has not gone beyond the preliminary stages and no deal is imminent, two executives with knowledge of the discussions told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard.

The clubs have not spoken within the past few days, but sources say talks of a possible trade involving O'Neal, Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic never completely died after it was first discussed in February.


Performance Upgrade
It's no secret that Shaq moving to the Cavs would be a definite upgrade at the center position. The only question is if the Shaq Cleveland hopes to acquire will be the one who played in 75 games this season (his most since the 1999-2000), or the Shaq who only averaged 63.5 contests, including a 40-game season three years ago, in his previous eight campaigns.


O'Neal, 37, will make $20 million next season in the final year of his current deal, while Wallace will make $14 million in the last year of his contract and Pavlovic $4.9 million with only $1.5 million guaranteed.

The salary swap is close enough to make the trade work under the salary-cap guidelines, and the Suns would save $10 million in the transaction -- $4.5 million in salary and $5.5 million in luxury-tax payments.

They could save even more money if Wallace takes a buyout, a possibility that was raised when Wallace said he was considering retirement after the Cavs' Eastern Conference finals loss to the Orlando Magic.

If the Suns acquired him and bought out his contract for less than face value, they could lower their actual expenditures, although the full amount would still count toward their luxury-tax total.

Cavs GM Danny Ferry and Suns president Steve Kerr, former teammates in San Antonio, are good friends who speak often, and a possible Shaq trade has always remained on the back burner.

Cleveland aggressively pursued O'Neal in February, offering Wallace and Pavlovic. Phoenix was not interested in Wallace because his contract was not expiring and instead wanted Wally Szczerbiak.

Eventually, Phoenix pulled out of the deal because it wanted to see if the trio of O'Neal, Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire could make a deep playoff run under then newly-hired coach Alvin Gentry.

Now convinced that they are no longer contenders, the Suns fully intend to move one of their big contracts. With Stoudemire being a young building block and Nash a local icon, O'Neal, whose salary is the largest on the team, makes the most sense.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4257421



I'm confident the Suns are not that retarded-lol And MONKEY FACE sHaq is just trying to win another Title before retires

[Brian Damage]

I'm confident the Suns are not that retarded-lol And MONKEY FACE sHaq is just trying to win another Title before retires


Why wouldn't the Suns make that deal?

[TVFactFan]

Why wouldn't the Suns make that deal?


Why would they trade him to a WINNING team?-lol That would not make any sense to me. Who would they get in return? Big Z and Varejo and a no name?-lol

[Brian Damage]

Why would they trade him to a WINNING team?-lol That would not make any sense to me. Who would they get in return? Big Z and Varejo and a no name?-lol


It makes perfect sense, The Cavaliers are not in the western conference and Shaq makes way too much money right now.

[MrCleveland]

It makes perfect sense, The Cavaliers are not in the western conference and Shaq makes way too much money right now.

I believe Shaq is past his prime.

But if he did get traded...how good is he with 3-pointers?

[Brian Damage]

I believe Shaq is past his prime.

But if he did get traded...how good is he with 3-pointers?


I agree he is past his prime, but definitely could fit in on a winning team. Besides, at this point, it is all about making Lebron happy. Getting Shaq just might do that.

[MrCleveland]

I agree he is past his prime, but definitely could fit in on a winning team. Besides, at this point, it is all about making Lebron happy. Getting Shaq just might do that.

I hope winning it all makes me happy.

Because right now, Cleveland STILL has the worst deficit for sports wins. 128 losses, and not just any losses...dramatic losses. We're the city with 'The Drive', 'The Red-Right-88', 'The Fumble', 'The Shot', and 'The Catch'. Even Philly can't match that...they got 100, breaking it after the Phillies won.

And if the Cavs won it all...it would be like the Carnival and Mardi Gras combined!

[Brian Damage]

I hope winning it all makes me happy.

Because right now, Cleveland STILL has the worst deficit for sports wins. 128 losses, and not just any losses...dramatic losses. We're the city with 'The Drive', 'The Red-Right-88', 'The Fumble', 'The Shot', and 'The Catch'. Even Philly can't match that...they got 100, breaking it after the Phillies won.

And if the Cavs won it all...it would be like the Carnival and Mardi Gras combined!


Well, next season is the time to do it, because the Knicks and Nets are calling. lol

[Big C]

Well, next season is the time to do it, because the Knicks and Nets are calling. lol

I honestly don't understand why LeBron would want to join either ine of those teams. They both stink and don't have a great lineup.

Why would he want to play for a loser?

[James]

Should "Shaq" go to Cleveland, do you think there would be a fight between LeBron and Shaq over who is "top banana" just like there was between Shaq and Kobe in L. A.? :argue:

[70s show watcher]

Why would they trade him to a WINNING team?-lol That would not make any sense to me. Who would they get in return? Big Z and Varejo and a no name?-lolnothing steve kerr and the owners do around here make sense so to me this is no surprise

[isiahthomas]

FSU, i don't understand why people keep saying Lebron might go to the Knicks or Nets either when his contract is up. I don't think he would play for either one of those teams because they suck. Jay-Z is Lebron's friend and Jay-Z is supposed to be a part minority owner of the Nets and the Nets might be moving to Brooklyn, NY. Jay-Z i think is gonna try and get Lebron to come to the Nets but i don't think it's gonna happen. I think the Cavs should get Shaq because even at his old age, he can run faster down the court than Zydrunas Ilgauskas hahahahahahahahahahahaha. The Cavs need to let Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, Wally Sczerbiak go. I hope the trade happens.

[MrCleveland]

FSU, i don't understand why people keep saying Lebron might go to the Knicks or Nets either when his contract is up. I don't think he would play for either one of those teams because they suck. Jay-Z is Lebron's friend and Jay-Z is supposed to be a part minority owner of the Nets and the Nets might be moving to Brooklyn, NY. Jay-Z i think is gonna try and get Lebron to come to the Nets but i don't think it's gonna happen. I think the Cavs should get Shaq because even at his old age, he can run faster down the court than Zydrunas Ilgauskas hahahahahahahahahahahaha. The Cavs need to let Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, Wally Sczerbiak go. I hope the trade happens.

Why can't Jay-Z get a place in C-Town? He could live in Cleveland or Shaker Heights, or even something outside of this county. Maybe in Hudson since that's between Cleveland and Akron.

[Brian Damage]

I honestly don't understand why LeBron would want to join either ine of those teams. They both stink and don't have a great lineup.

Why would he want to play for a loser?

1. New York (Largest Market in the world)

2. Money (The Knicks will have a lot of it)

3. The Knicks don't just plan on signing Lebron, they have their eyes set on Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and a few others as well.

[James]

I just heard that the Cavs are going to use Shaq next year to try to give LeBum a title. Talk about DESPERATE! I hope they fail and that the two fight just like Shaq and Kobe did in L. A.!

Why aren't the Cavs still finger-pointing about what went down with Orlando?

[Big C]

And just who are you a fan of, James?

[TVFactFan]

The Suns have to be the DUMBEST TEAM on the planet

They get back ben Wallace, Sasha ans a 46th pick in tonight's draft???????

[James]

And just who are you a fan of, James?

My favorite teams are the Pacers and the Bulls ... and whoever's playing the dreaded Cavs. I'm sorry, I've said it before, but I don't like it how LeBron aka Mr. Entitlement is being pampered by the NBA. I don't like how Sports Illustrated gave him such rave reviews when he was still in high school, and he skipped college altogether to enter the NBA.

[catlover79]

My favorite teams are the Pacers and the Bulls ... and whoever's playing the dreaded Cavs. I'm sorry, I've said it before, but I don't like it how LeBron aka Mr. Entitlement is being pampered by the NBA. I don't like how Sports Illustrated gave him such rave reviews when he was still in high school, and he skipped college altogether to enter the NBA.
I've never cared personally for LeBron myself - because he's been spoiled rotten since high school and it all went to his head. I NEVER expected to see Shaq in a Cleveland uniform - THIS should be interesting!! :lol:

[MrCleveland]

I've never cared personally for LeBron myself - because he's been spoiled rotten since high school and it all went to his head. I NEVER expected to see Shaq in a Cleveland uniform - THIS should be interesting!! :lol:

I think that will spark sales on Cavs jerseys in this town.(I wonder how issahthomas feels about this)?

[MonarC]

Very exciting news. Can't wait to see Cavs next season.

[70s show watcher]

Very exciting news. Can't wait to see Cavs next season.i cant ether and i live in az where shaq just came from

[isiahthomas]

LOL@Solomon dissing Phoenix Suns hahahahahahahahahahahaha. Yeah that was dumb considering what they got in return for Shaq LOL. The Cavs should be a much better team next year because of Shaq. Now Zydrunas Ilgauskas slow ass will be coming off the bench hahahahahahahahahaha.