I’m breaking my hiatus to chime in on the news that the Suns are on the brink of acquiring Shaq.
Simply put: This is a terrible trade for Cleveland.
If Miami trades Shaq they don’t have to pay the remainder of his salary, which is $40M over the next two seasons. That cap relief puts Miami in position to sign pretty much anyone they want this off season. So let’s say the Heat sign Elton Brand.
Wade + Brand > Wade + Shaq
Right now Miami has the worst record in the NBA and the inside track to the first overall pick in the upcoming draft.
Wade + Brand + Michael Beasley = Yikes!
Pay Riley must be calling in a favor here. How else can you explain the good fortune of this trade? Instead of the Heat being tremendously burdened by Shaq and his albatross of a contract for the next two seasons (which coincide with Wade’s last two seasons under his current contract) suddenly the Heat are six months away from having one of the most exciting off seasons imaginable. Who doesn’t want to play alongside a perennial MVP candidate in South Beach while making a truckload of money? On top of that add a lottery pick. Now the Heat are a threat in the Eastern Conference. This is wizardry!
