No-Shaq-No... Suns Talking Marion for O'Neal Swap

Updated 2/6/08.... The reports are true & the trade is a done deal.  Shaquille O'Neal traded for Shawn Marion & Marcus Banks.  O'Neal is reportedly a week away from joining the team (on the court).

If reports are true, the Miami Heat are apparently shopping future Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal to the Phoenix Suns for forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks. 

The deal makes sense financially, but that's about where it ends.

Shaq's presence in the Suns' lineup would change the tempo of the game, the style of play and their overall performance (negatively).  He can't keep up with Nash, Barbosa or Stoudemire, so what's he going to do all game, sit back and cherry pick?  There are rumors that Shaq's performance this year is an attempt to force a trade, but I think he's just lost a step.  While his post presence might offer some hope against foes like San Antonio and now the Lakers, he's not going to contribute enough to warrant the trade.

Seriously, the Suns would be making a huge mistake by acquiring O'Neal.

Let's just say the Suns do get O'Neal... what do they do during the offseason if they don't win the championship?  No one will want Shaq's $20 million contract (thru 2010).  He won't be worth that to the Suns... so Phoenix would be forced to trade one of it's other top players in order to avoid the luxury tax.  That would mean both Marion and either Nash or STAT would be gone from the team.

Published Tuesday, February 05, 2008 8:42 PM by chowell
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Comments

Tuesday, February 05, 2008 8:56 PM by Scott Mitchell

# re: No-Shaq-No... Suns Talking Marion for O'Neal Swap

I can't see any team taking Shaq unless they have zero chance of winning anytime soon, have the same length or longer contracts on the books for non-productive players, and simply hope Shaq's presence will bolster ticket sales. But even that's a stretch, seeing as Shaq wasn't voted or chosen to participate in this year's All Star game (for the first time in 15 years).

Shaq's contract is too big. He's too old and too slow, especially for the Suns or any other up-tempo team. I hope Shaq stays put in Miami and hangs it up after this season. His sun has set. The NBA's in the capable hands of LeBron, Wade, Carmello, Kobe (for a few more years), Dwight Howard, and Chris Paul.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008 11:10 PM by Lakers News and Commentary

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Wednesday, February 06, 2008 12:09 AM by L. WOLF

# re: No-Shaq-No... Suns Talking Marion for O'Neal Swap

Suns, please correct Riley's biggest mistake. Miami is stuck with Shaq and his contract. The Heat fans will be forever grateful to the astute owners and managers of the Suns.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008 2:09 AM by Benjamin

# re: No-Shaq-No... Suns Talking Marion for O'Neal Swap

I'm a Lakers fan and not only do I think this deal is insane, I'd actually feel bad for Suns fans if this deal went down. And I've got plenty of animosity towards Suns fans about that book, Kobe getting assaulted on court, smug attitudes, no defense Nash winning MVP twice, and just in the interest of good rivalries. This deal is just wrong and not fair. Suns fans may deserve a little bad karma, but this is straight up wrong. Good luck. Had Bynum not come through and we'd gotten Gasol as well I might feel a little differently, but I suspect I'd still feel horrible at the prospect of you guys having to go through this sort of thing.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008 1:40 PM by Betty Bowens

# re: No-Shaq-No... Suns Talking Marion for O'Neal Swap

Hi I thinks Shaq will be a hindrance to the Suns, he cannot run, he always injured. And he was mean to his wife. I thought the Suns did not like people who mistreat their families. I agree that you need a big man, but Shaq is not that guy. The Sun will be taking on a big contract, just like they did with Penny Hardaway, with no production.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008 4:54 PM by Sammy

# re: No-Shaq-No... Suns Talking Marion for O'Neal Swap

Shaq won't be able to keep up with other suns players at all. also he doesnt hustle that much anyway so he'll be 10x as slow as the flow of the game.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008 7:46 PM by Scott Mitchell

# re: No-Shaq-No... Suns Talking Marion for O'Neal Swap

Holy crap, the deal actually went down: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3234099 I had more faith in Steve Kerr. Who knows, though, maybe Shaq will be the missing key and we'll all applaud Kerr's brilliance. But I doubt it.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008 10:15 PM by SunsBestHope4Hoops

# re: No-Shaq-No... Suns Talking Marion for O'Neal Swap

Latest loss to SA made crystal clear: Suns could never get past them in playoffs. You can see this as exactly right solution for that problem, if Shaq healthy. But it's not guaranteed. Plus, isn't it subtraction vs. others, esp. Mavs. Hmmm . . . like the change v. Lakers & Jazz too, come to think of it. If we can somehow keep the 7-sec run-n-gun . . . more DRB outlets, Amare free to break . . . . INTERIOR DEFENSE. (say what ??). Could almost talk myself into this.
Friday, February 08, 2008 3:05 AM by SunsBestHope4Hoops

# re: No-Shaq-No... Suns Talking Marion for O'Neal Swap

Would also like to respond to comment from Laker fan Benjamin: This can be taken different ways, but i'll take at face value, a Classy Gesture, NTM you may be absolutely right! What's great abt beating a team rival killed by an off-court event? You are validating my refusal to HATE THE LAKERS just because of . . . well . . . mainly that one guy with a front row seat! The professionalism of Kobe & PJ demands respect, even when they are killing us. And if you are not right, we are headed for Fan Heaven: Lakers + Gasol! Yeeeoooww! Suns + Shaq! Yeeeoooww! Yeeeoooww!
Saturday, February 09, 2008 12:03 AM by Shaq Suns Jersey Available Now - Phoenix Suns Shaquille O’Neal Jersey Released | Jock Jerseys' Flash

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