Shaq possibly getting dealt

[maros91]

All over ESPN. Shaq to the Suns for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. Would be interesting to see Shaq back in the West.

[Burnham]

yea i saw that, hows marcus banks doin these days? i really liked him when he was on the wolves

[Scott M]

Dumb move if Phoenix does it. Huge salary, doesn't fit their run and gun style, always hurt, doesn't defend. Marion is unhappy (which is beyond me because he gets his bread and butter playing with Nash) but still, they should look elsewhere.

As long as Heat have Shaq, they will be salary burdened. T-wolves fans should root for this trade to fail so the Heat are bad for a couple years and the Wolves cash in on that draft pick.

[beer batter]

 Originally Posted By: da_chise31

T-wolves fans should root for this trade to fail so the Heat are bad for a couple years and the Wolves cash in on that draft pick.

Isn't that draft pick lottery protected anyway? Or is there a time limit to where it would go unprotected?

[mnwild]

I believe it is, if the Heat have a lottery pick they get to keep it.

[Scott M]

This year it's lottery protected, next year if it's in the top ten it's protected, and by 2010 its unprotected. So they need to stay bad for 3 years pretty much.

The move officially went through. Marion and Banks have 20 million in salary combined, compared to Shaq's 21 mill a year. I guess Phoenix runs in transition with 4, defends with 5, and now has a half court offense. If Shaq gets healthy and pledges to play defense, he could get yet another ring. Top to bottom that is a pretty talented team.

[maros91]

Phoenix always lacked a big guy come playoff time so they went out and got the biggest of all. However, I remember when Shaq was with the Lakers when Del Harris was coaching and they played run and gun and they didn't do squat. It wasn't until Phil Jackson took over and the daunted "triangle" offense that Shaq really fluorished. It will be interesting to see what Phoenix does with Shaq.

[Flaco651]

I don't think its a good move by the Suns.

[bassNspear]

well its a done deal, and the way that Nash was talking, he stated that its going to give them something they have never had (big guy in the middle) I think its going to help them when it comes to the times where they need that bigger guy in the middle. Ya they run a run and gun, but think about this, if there running the run and gun, and its not working, they have shaq in the middle to play then in and out game. I think its good fit for him, and hes going to help out the team alot.

[ozzie]

the way marion has been playing as of late they sure didn't need him......I think this might work for Phoenix.....they don't need Shaq right now they can do fine without him but hopefully he is healthy enough with at least 20 games left to get use to the team and then they can sit him and run and gun and bring him in and start to slow things down and use the pick and rolls or in and outs with the shooters Phoenix has!!! Kinda hard to sit a 20 mill player but Shaq is useless if he isn't healthy...

[maros91]

Phoenix always got ousted in the playoffs because of their size. Probably would have happened this year also. Now they can bang with Utah, San Antonio, Dallas, and other top teams in the West.

[PierBridge]

Yep.... NBA titles are not won running and gunning!

I think its a good move on the Suns part especially if Shaq is healthy for the playoffs.

Also I think Miami is much better team right now because of the trade.

[maros91]

I agree. Phoenix got bigger and Miami got younger. I see Marion can opt out after this year. Will be interesting to see what he does. I know he didn't want to be the 3rd guy in Phoenix behing Nash and Stoudamire. Miami has Wade and thats about it.

[ozzie]

he can opt out but if he does I am not sure if he will find someone to pay him the 17.2 ( I think) million for next year....so I would imagine he stays with Miami next year and tries to get an extension done there........