Shaq To Cavs Rumors Persist Amid NBA Finals

by Jon Azpiri | June 14, 2009 at 12:11 pm

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While much of the basketball world will be focused on Game 5 of the 2009 NBA Finals, rumors continue to swirl that Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal may be headed to Cleveland.

The Arizona Republic is reporting that a deal could send O'Neal to the Cavs for forward Ben Wallace and guard Sasha Pavlovic.

The trade could help give LeBron James some veteran help in Cleveland. It would also give James and the Cavs another big body to deal with big men like Dwight Howard who gave the team fits during the playoffs.

The deal also makes financial sense for the Suns.

With O'Neal's $20 million salary (but a $21 million salary-cap number due to a trade kicker), the trade could save the Suns $9.9 million or even more if Wallace wants a buyout. The trade would save the Suns $3.1 million in payroll and projected luxury tax. Cutting Pavlovic, who has $1.5 million guaranteed in his final contract year's $4.95 million salary, could save another $6.8 million in payroll and tax.