Wed Feb 6 18:48:03 2008

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Suns acquire Shaq from Miami

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Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - The Phoenix Suns have acquired center Shaquille O'Neal from the Miami Heat in exchange for forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks.

O'Neal needed to undergo a physical before the deal became official. He flew to Phoenix on Wednesday to undergo tests, which apparently included an MRI exam on his ailing left hip -- an injury that has forced him to miss the last six games.

"We're thrilled to add a player and person of Shaquille's quality to our roster," said Suns general manager Steve Kerr in a release. "We believe this addition strengthens our team. We thank Shawn and Marcus for their contributions to our team. Shawn in particular has been a tremendous player for this organization the past 8 1/2 years and his impact both on and off the court in Phoenix will not be forgotten."

O'Neal, who will turn 36 in March, has two years left on his contract after this season and is set to be paid $20 million in each of the next two years. In just 32 games this season, he is averaging a career-low 14.2 points along with 7.8 rebounds.

However, O'Neal has won four NBA titles in his 16-year career, capturing three with the Los Angeles Lakers and one with Miami. He teamed with Dwyane Wade to carry the Heat to the 2006 NBA championship, but Miami has struggled mightily since, losing in the first round of the 2007 playoffs and compiling a league- worst 9-37 record this season, entering Wednesday's action.

The 7-foot-1 O'Neal owns a career scoring average of 25.6 points, the ninth- highest in league history, and ranks 11th all-time in scoring with 25,908 points in 1,013 career games. He has been a 14-time All-Star and a 13-time All-NBA First-Team selection in his career with the Orlando Magic, Lakers and Heat.

Orlando selected O'Neal with the first overall pick of the 1992 NBA Draft and he went on to capture Rookie of the Year honors in his first season. He also won NBA MVP for the 1999-2000 campaign with the Lakers and was a three-time NBA Finals MVP with Los Angeles in 2000, 2001 and 2002.

The 6-foot-7 Marion is a four-time All-Star and is averaging 15.8 points and 9.9 rebounds this season. He had played each of his nine NBA seasons with Phoenix, which selected him with the ninth overall pick of the 1999 NBA Draft.

Marion, 29, owns career averages of 18.4 points and 10.0 rebounds in 660 games.

Banks, 26, is averaging 5.2 points and 1.0 assists per game.

The deal marks the second monumental trade of a big man in less than a week to boost a Western Conference playoff contender. The ante was raised after the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Memphis forward Pau Gasol last Friday. The 7-foot, 260-pound Gasol had an immediate impact in his first game as a Laker with 24 points and 12 rebounds in a win at New Jersey on Tuesday.