The rumors were all over the place yesterday. The Cavaliers are talking to the Phoenix Suns about a deal which would bring Shaquille O’Neal to the wine and gold. Many so-called “experts” said the Cavs aren’t helping themselves with this trade. I have one question for them: “Are you kidding?”
Yes, O’Neal is no longer in his prime. He’s 37 years old. However, he did make third team all-NBA, so he is most definitely still a productive player. And if you get the ball to him in the low post, he will score, something the Cavaliers are lacking in their offense.
The proposed trade would send Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic to the Suns in exchange for “The Big Cactus”. These are two non-important pieces to the Cavalier puzzle. Wallace can still defend in spurts, but is definitely a liability on the offensive end of the floor. Pavlovic’s maddening inconsistency is well documented, and he no longer has a future in Cleveland.
So basically, GM Danny Ferry would be giving up nothing to get O’Neal, who has just one year left on his contract, the same as Wallace.
The critics point out that the wine and gold still need a power forward and size in the backcourt, and there is no disagreement here. However, why would anyone think that the team would make this the only move they would make in the off-season?
The Cavs still could work a sign and trade with free agent Anderson Varajao, and also could deal a Daniel Gibson or a J.J. Hickson or Darnell Jackson to fill these needs, especially to teams looking to get younger or cut payroll.
Getting back to O’Neal, he would provide a compliment to Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and the Cavs could afford to limit the minutes of both big men. This would keep them fresh for the playoffs. If Shaq plays like he did this past season, he would demand double teams in the low post, opening up the perimeter game for the wine and gold’s snipers.
Also, you have to believe that O’Neal would be highly motivated, especially after Kobe Bryant won his fourth title last night. Shaq would love to finish up with more rings than Bryant and playing with a dynamic player like LeBron James would certainly give him a great opportunity to do so. Getting a chance to play in The Finals against the Lakers would perhaps be high drama, indeed.
It appears that the Cavs’ front office is going all out to win a title next year, potentially James’ last in the wine and gold. As I said, this team had some weaknesses exposed in the conference finals loss to Orlando, and a low post scorer and someone with the bulk to defend Dwight Howard were two of them. Shaquille O’Neal would fill both of these needs.
Remember, this potential trade is still very early in the discussions. However, it would be fun to have the big guy wearing a Cavs’ jersey next season, and giving up two players who are expendable would help the Cavaliers as well.
Even if it doesn’t happen, there is no question that Danny Ferry is going to do everything he can to improve this basketball team.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 
If you were Steve Kerr, would you really be excited about trading away Shaquille O’neal for Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic ? Danny Ferry probably wishes he could pull a stunt like that… Ben Wallace might not even play in ’09-10 and Sasha probably wishes he was in Europe somewhere; He has no desire to play in the NBA. The Phoenix Suns are still a respected team in the Western Conference, they will not do anything stupid to jepardize that credibility… Shaq will probably go to his home state and play for the Hornets, while Tyson Chandler will find new life in Phoenix:) Danny Ferry will find a way to improve the team but it will not be that easy.
Demetrius: I agree it sounds to good to be true, that’s why I’m surprised some in the national media (Jamal Mashburn) didn’t like it from a Cavs’ perspective. If that offer is on the table, I’d do it in a second.