Shaq Traded to Cleveland Cavaliers
The Phoenix Suns have traded Shaquille O'Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic. ESPN is breaking the news right now, as Yahoo Sports probably reported first (?). No Tweets from Shaq or Amare (yet)... Shaq has tweeted quite a bit tonight, but nothing on the trade.
This move is "mostly" salary related, since it really won't make the Suns any better. Not sure it makes Cleveland any better to be honest... Realize this is a business and the Suns can't over-pay for a non-playoff team.
The move signals confidence in both Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire, although much more could still happen tomorrow during the draft (or even before the season starts. Ben Wallace will probably be bought out and/or waived pretty quickly. The Suns have no intention of playing him and he's been leaning towards retiring anyway. Pavlovic adds a shooter, but the Suns have real depth problems in the frontcourt now. I would expect another trade or see them draft a Center or Power Forward. Amare will be a target next year if they can't find a big man to support him.
Suns Draft Party
I will be attending the Suns Draft Party, so expect some cool stuff that night or the following day. Hoping to get some good pics & perhaps some interviews if some of the players are warm to it.