Will Shaquille O'Neal Be Traded To The Suns For Shawn Marion?

This is the rumor going around.

The Miami Heat's season has come to this: Shaquille O'Neal may be on the trading block.

Citing two sources close to the situation, the Miami Herald reported on Tuesday that the team has told the center that he should be prepared for a possible deal.

The Herald goes on to report that a trade of O'Neal to the Phoenix Suns for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks has been discussed. One of O'Neal's representatives told the newspaper that they were informed that talks with Phoenix were ongoing and serious.

ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports that this scenario has been rumored for a week, but it will not work without major modifications due to financial restraints.

The Heat have a league-worst 9-37 record and have lost four straight. O'Neal has missed the last six games with a sore left hip. Heat coach Pat Riley said on Tuesday that O'Neal will undergo an MRI.

I can't possibly see this trade happening for 2 reasons. First, Shaq is getting up there in years and pretty soon he'll be obsolete. He'll retire as a Heat player. The Heat need to draft or acquire a young center to replace Shaq and keep Shaq on the bench as an experienced back up at best. His days as a player are numbered. Second, I can not see the Suns breaking apart that magnificent team, which is led by Steve Nash, Shaun Marion, and Amare Stoudemire. To break those guys apart (especially for someone like Shaq) would be just plain dumb.