Shaq to the CAVALIERS!?

[Card Magnet]

I just saw on ESPN that trade talks are heating up to send Shaq to Cleveland.

I also found this story on ESPN.com :
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4257421

Talk between the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers of a trade that would have Shaquille O'Neal playing with LeBron James next season is "heating up again," according to a report in The Arizona Republic.

The trade rumor involving O'Neal, Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic may sound practical for Phoenix and dynamic for Cleveland and has been confirmed to ESPN.com by a team executive, but another source close to the situation said "there's nothing going on" between the two teams.

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.

Multiple sources close to the situation confirmed to ESPN.com in late February that a deal sending O'Neal to the Cavaliers had been discussed.

Wallace and Pavlovic were offered to the Suns for O'Neal as part of the Cavs' well-chronicled quests to add one more big man for the playoffs and show James they were serious about an NBA championship.

 

[Kutzy]

Apparently the new Chineese owners over there are going to do absolutely anything it takes to outspend the world to buy a championship for Lebron.

 

[Rickzcards]

Should the Cavs acquire Shaq it would help Lebron immensely. But I still think that it wouldn't be enough to win a championship.

 

[Card Magnet]

This is bad news for Big Z.

 

[Crash Davis]

Should the Cavs acquire Shaq it would help Lebron immensely. But I still think that it wouldn't be enough to win a championship.

Cavaliers would win it all if Shaq joined Lebron.

 

[Rickzcards]

Should the Cavs acquire Shaq it would help Lebron immensely. But I still think that it wouldn't be enough to win a championship.

Cavaliers would win it all if Shaq joined Lebron.

Nope. Maybe the Shaq of 6-7 years ago, but now that he is in what maybe his last season he is just a shadow of his former self. Still not enough to win a championship let alone the east.

 

[BGSRCGUY]

Should the Cavs acquire Shaq it would help Lebron immensely. But I still think that it wouldn't be enough to win a championship.

Cavaliers would win it all if Shaq joined Lebron.

Nope. Maybe the Shaq of 6-7 years ago, but now that he is in what maybe his last season he is just a shadow of his former self. Still not enough to win a championship let alone the east.

Maybe he hopes Lebron can carry him to another ring, like Wade did a few years ago..

 

[KandKCards]

I think Shaq would be enough to push the Cavs over the top. Let's not forget that this is a team that was unchallenged until the conference finals, where they ran into a team that they match up VERY badly against who also shot the lights out, while they went ice cold. In fact, Orlando is a bad matchup for everybody except the Lakers, because very few players outside of Odom have the skill set to defend Rashard Lewis.
The Cavs could use a legit post presence, but I don't think it's a requirement. What they definitely do need, though, is a wing with some size. Their best offensive lineup is Lebron, Williams, West, Gibson and Z. That's 3 guys under 6'4. Look at teams like the Magic, who have 2 guys over 6'9 who can play in the post and the wing and handle the ball, plus Pietrus off the bench with a similar skill set at 6'7. They need to upgrade their size and athleticism even if it means a slight talent downgrade.

 

[Kutzy]

Shaq playing like he did this year would have put them over the top. At least would have gotten past Orlando IMO. However, I do not believe Shaq has another year like this in him. It would be an upgrade, but not enough IMO.

 

[BGSRCGUY]

Shaq playing like he did this year would have put them over the top. At least would have gotten past Orlando IMO. However, I do not believe Shaq has another year like this in him. It would be an upgrade, but not enough IMO.

Ya especially if KG comes back.

 

[Ariza3Harris34]

Shaq is certainly better the Ilagouskus, and speaking of they definatlety need a better center than him. He softer than Gasol. so he's never gonna help Lebron to the promise land.

 

[Card Magnet]

The last time they brought in a "hard" center, it didn't work out too well. Ben Wallace was just too far into his career. The same may happen with Shaq. Although, Shaqzilla is so big that it would be near impossible for him to not dominate.

If this would happen, I see him splitting time with Ilgauskas. Much like Wallace did.

 

[Pine Tar]

yeah since they may not be able to hold Lebron in Cleveland, Shaq is the next best thing. :lol:

 

[Ariza3Harris34]

The last time they brought in a "hard" center, it didn't work out too well. Ben Wallace was just too far into his career. The same may happen with Shaq. Although, Shaqzilla is so big that it would be near impossible for him to not dominate.

If this would happen, I see him splitting time with Ilgauskas. Much like Wallace did.

Shaq is a much more dominant finisher than Ben Wallacew will ever be.
Shaq even has a better shot. I don't think they are the same kind of "HARD" if you know what I mean.

 

[bodiaz]

Shaq is a guy who plays great when motivated. If he could get to the finals against Kobe, all bets are off! He would do part 2 of, Tell me how my bleep tastes!

 

[BGSRCGUY]

Shaq is a guy who plays great when motivated. If he could get to the finals against Kobe, all bets are off! He would do part 2 of, Tell me how my bleep tastes!

If the Lakers can frustrate Dwight Howard, you would think they could destroy old shaq. At least dwight can play defense, shaq can't stop anyone.

 

[Card Magnet]

Shaq is a guy who plays great when motivated. If he could get to the finals against Kobe, all bets are off! He would do part 2 of, Tell me how my bleep tastes!

If the Lakers can frustrate Dwight Howard, you would think they could destroy old shaq. At least dwight can play defense, shaq can't stop anyone.

Shaq does seem to have a better offensive presence though. He's also used to Hack-A-Shaq tactics, and has veteran experience. It's just not good when he hits the foul line though...

[youtube:7uk259hx]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgeFmmtFbnM[/youtube:7uk259hx]

 

[Rickzcards]

The Cavs are one great player away from dominating, but to think that Shaq is that one is ridiculous. Keep looking.

And I love Shaq but he is at the end of his career.

 

[BGSRCGUY]

Shaq is a guy who plays great when motivated. If he could get to the finals against Kobe, all bets are off! He would do part 2 of, Tell me how my bleep tastes!

If the Lakers can frustrate Dwight Howard, you would think they could destroy old shaq. At least dwight can play defense, shaq can't stop anyone.

Shaq does seem to have a better offensive presence though. He's also used to Hack-A-Shaq tactics, and has veteran experience. It's just not good when he hits the foul line though...

[youtube:3sx0u3sn]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgeFmmtFbnM[/youtube:3sx0u3sn]

LOOOOOL :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[autocut]

Should the Cavs acquire Shaq it would help Lebron immensely. But I still think that it wouldn't be enough to win a championship.

Cavaliers would win it all if Shaq joined Lebron.

I agree. Has nothing to do with scoring, but mainly that Shaq would still get double teamed and open the lane for Lebron and other players as he did for Kobe. Lebron would get more open looks at the basket.