Reports: Suns agree to deal Shaquille O'Neal to Cavs

In their latest effort to keep LeBron James in the fold, the Cavaliers have landed Shaquille O'Neal from the Suns in the revival of a deal they tried to make back in February.


http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/2009/06/25/2009-06-25_shaquille_oneal_to_cavaliers.html#ixzz0JS0ia9NG&D (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/2009/06/25/2009-06-25_shaquille_oneal_to_cavaliers.html#ixzz0JS0ia9NG&D)

I think this is a really good deal for the Cavs, all they did was dump some salaries for a legit center who can get you close to 20 points 10 rebounds a night. Shaq has been to the Finals with 3 different sidekick-superstars (remember when Penny was the man?!) and I wouldn't be surprised to see them get to a 4th...if they can get pass the Wizards :)

Of course, at the same time this is a big gamble for the Cavs. They're cashing in all their chips for a title in 2010. But if they don't get it, and Shaq doesn't renew his contract and LeBron walks away as a free agent as well, where does that leave them?

I think this is a really good deal for the Cavs, all they did was dump some salaries for a legit center who can get you close to 20 points 10 rebounds a night. Shaq has been to the Finals with 3 different sidekick-superstars (remember when Penny was the man?!) and I wouldn't be surprised to see them get to a 4th...if they can get pass the Wizards :)

Of course, at the same time this is a big gamble for the Cavs. They're cashing in all their chips for a title in 2010. But if they don't get it, and Shaq doesn't renew his contract and LeBron walks away as a free agent as well, where does that leave them?

This all supposes that LeBron only stays if they win a championship. I'm not so sure of that. They are clearly trying everything they can to get a trophy so I don't know why he'd leave unless it was a fame/money/opportunistic deal in which case even with a trophy he'd be likely to bolt.

I'm just not sold on the they need a trophy to keep him mindset. I think they just need to be doing everything they can to win a trophy to keep him. It's not like any of the glitzier places are in better position to get this done. Boston is out and the Lakers are out. That leaves the Clippers, Nets and Knicks as the only real "better" places market-wise. Ugh to those right now. I think he stays in Cleveland for a long time regardless of championships unless Cleveland throws in the towel at some point and he loses all confidence in them.

This all supposes that LeBron only stays if they win a championship. I'm not so sure of that. They are clearly trying everything they can to get a trophy so I don't know why he'd leave unless it was a fame/money/opportunistic deal in which case even with a trophy he'd be likely to bolt.

I'm just not sold on the they need a trophy to keep him mindset. I think they just need to be doing everything they can to win a trophy to keep him. It's not like any of the glitzier places are in better position to get this done. Boston is out and the Lakers are out. That leaves the Clippers, Nets and Knicks as the only real "better" places market-wise. Ugh to those right now. I think he stays in Cleveland for a long time regardless of championships unless Cleveland throws in the towel at some point and he loses all confidence in them.

Pistons could be an option, Suns could position themselves to be an option, and there's also Chicago.

But I think it's also possible that he's more likely to leave if he gets a championship. "Here you go Cleveland, here's your title. I did what you wanted. I'll see you later"

Pistons could be an option, Suns could position themselves to be an option, and there's also Chicago.

But I think it's also possible that he's more likely to leave if he gets a championship. "Here you go Cleveland, here's your title. I did what you wanted. I'll see you later"

Good point about leaving...

Chicago is definitely one but Detroit or Phoenix? Are they really anymore attractive than Cleveland?

In any event it is shaping up to be a fun summer to watch how it all plays out. It'll be fun to see all the teams who have maneuvered so much to make room for him get left in a lurch with basically no backup plans. It'll actually end up screwing with the market a lot I bet.

It's not like any of the glitzier places are in better position to get this done. Boston is out and the Lakers are out....Why is Boston out? I don't know the financial implications, so if that's why then so be it. But Boston would be a perfect fit for LeBron

1) It will extend the careers of Pierce and Allen.
2) Garnett is a big man who can play away from the basket on offense and provides a huge dfeensive presence
3) Rondo, Big Baby and Perkins are all solid young players.
4) He stays in the East, which with him in Boston, virtually guarantees the Celtics to be in the East Finals or NBA Championship for the next 6-8 years minimum.
5) The NBA would love a Lakers/Celtics - LeBron/Kobe match-up year-in-year out. Larry vs. Magic Part 2.
6) Celtics Line-up: Rondo, Pierce, LeBron, Garnett, Perkins. Allen Sixth-man of the year.

What's not to like from LeBron's perspective. His salary will be lower, but his endorsements and the NBA's ratings will skyrocket. Where is a better place for him to position himself to win championshipS.

Why is Boston out? I don't know the financial implications, so if that's why then so be it. But Boston would be a perfect fit for LeBron

1) It will extend the careers of Pierce and Allen.
2) Garnett is a big man who can play away from the basket on offense and provides a huge dfeensive presence
3) Rondo, Big Baby and Perkins are all solid young players.
4) He stays in the East, which with him in Boston, virtually guarantees the Celtics to be in the East Finals or NBA Championship for the next 6-8 years minimum.
5) The NBA would love a Lakers/Celtics - LeBron/Kobe match-up year-in-year out. Larry vs. Magic Part 2.
6) Celtics Line-up: Rondo, Pierce, LeBron, Garnett, Perkins. Allen Sixth-man of the year.

What's not to like from LeBron's perspective. His salary will be lower, but his endorsements and the NBA's ratings will skyrocket. Where is a better place for him to position himself to win championshipS.

Allen could be gone, and they seem to dying to move Rondo