Desert Shaq: Suns' Trade For O'Neal Comes With Future Cap Burden

Suns Likely To Pay Luxury Tax With Acquisition Of O'Neal

The Heat yesterday traded C Shaquille O'Neal to the Suns for F Shawn Marion and G Marcus Banks, and the Suns will assume "more than $15[M] in extra payroll" for the '09-2010 season, according to Jerry Brown of the EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE. O'Neal is scheduled to make $20M each of the next three seasons, and while the deal "would be close to a payroll wash this season and would actually save Phoenix more than $1[M]" for the '08-09 campaign, Marion's deal expires after this season and Banks is owed only $4.46M in '09-2010. Marion could opt out of his contract after this season, but he has a player option at $17.2M for '08-09. The "financial inflexibility is the reason" the Heat completed the deal (EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE, 2/7). Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti said of the Suns, “Financially, they pick up an albatross contract and Owner Bob Sarver doesn’t like picking up contracts and going against the luxury tax” (“Around The Horn,” ESPN, 2/6).

HEAT: In West Palm Beach, Chris Perkins writes the "business aspect was critical for the Heat, which would have had a difficult time making big changes if it still was saddled with O'Neal's salary" (PALM BEACH POST, 2/7). In Miami, Michael Wallace notes should Marion opt out of his contract, the Heat "could fall [$14-18M] under the salary cap and be in play for potential free agents" including Wizards G Gilbert Arenas, Clippers F Elton Brand and Nuggets G Allen Iverson (MIAMI HERALD, 2/7). However, Heat management "does not expect" Marion to opt out. When asked how future salary cap space factored into the trade, Heat President & coach Pat Riley said, "Big time" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 2/7).