Shaquille O'Neal to be traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers?

[SWedd523]

After trade talks fell out in February, discussions have apparently kicked up again regarding Shaquille O'Neal being traded to Cleveland for Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic--though nothing is imminent.


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


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.
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=831)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.




How would this affect Cleveland's chances next year?

[teej]

Chenged the thread title...that was a little deceptive

I think it can't help either team, or hurt. Shaq's a mess right now with that contract.

[Ghost Kat]

Shaq's contract might be messed up but Shaq myself didn't look to bad last year. If all the Cav's have to give up is Ben and Sasha, Will hell go for it. Shaq is a huge target for Lebron. But Shaq is getting older and isn't really worth all those millions......

[SWedd523]

But Shaq is getting older and isn't really worth all those millions......
But he's better than Wallace and Pavlovic put together so why not? I also like to think at it as Shaq's $20million expiring contract will open up lots of cap space for them to throw at LeBron next summer--or one of the 30 other top tier talents that would love to play with him.