A Matrix for a Shaq
Around this time of the year, just before the trade deadline, there are some blockbuster trades, and then there are some head-scratchers. Phoenix trading Shawn Marion to Miami for Shaq is a head-scratcher if there ever was one. The Suns are in first place in the Western Conference, and have the third best record in the entire NBA. They have gone deep into the playoffs the past few years. What’s more, their fast, aggressive, athletic small ball game is the polar opposite of what Shaq’s skill set is. Even if they were trading for the 2000 version of the Diesel, the trade wouldn’t make sense from a philosophical standpoint.
For Miami, the trade is a godsend. Marion is in his prime, and can team up with Dwayne Wade to create a shooting, slashing type of offense. Marion has wanted a big money contract for sometime now (he’s owed $17 million next season) and Phoenix wasn’t going to give it to him. Maybe the Heat won’t either, but they also won’t have to pay Shaq the $40 million owed over the next 2 years. Miami has now officially blown up, and it won’t be a surprise to see Marion play out the string and then go the free agent route. Adrian Wojinowski has a very good analysis of the trade here, at Yahoo! Sports.
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