Thoughts on Shaq to Cavs

Wow that honeymoon ended rather quickly. I can remember a year and a half ago when the city of Phoenix was beaming to bring in the Big Aristotle. The memory of him standing up in the luxury suites and pointing to his ring finger is no longer. The Cubs of the NBA were #1 in the western conference when they made that deal for Shaq. Despite reports that say the contrary, the Suns made that deal in direct response to the Gasol trade. The Suns panicked and all they got from Shaq's services was 1 lousy playoff win. The Suns panicked again tonight and traded Shaq away just as fast as how they got him. For the last 3 weeks we have heard GM Steve Kerr say that the Suns do want to make any trades if basketball reasons weren't the main reason. Well this trade is simply a salary dump. Not a bad salary dump by any means as well. The Suns are going to save roughly 10 million and that goes a long way in this economy. Will this allow the Suns to resign Nash and allow him to retire as a Sun? Will the suns attempt to sign Stoudemire to a long term deal? And will Nash even want to play of the Suns? Nash wants to win a title more than anything and if I were him, I would play this season out and hope to be traded to a contender or sign with the Knicks the next year. What we do know is that Shaq joined the the 1st place Suns and left the Suns is in disarray. What a difference a year and a half makes.

Now from the Cavs point of view this trade makes perfect sense. The Cavs get what they desperately need, which was front court depth. Shaq is the best answer for Dwight Howard. Kobe won a title and Howard has been promoted to the new "Superman", so don't you think Shaq might be a little motivated as well? He brought Kobe is first ring, brought Wade his first ring and now has the chance to bring Lebron his first ring. This trade also will not handicap the Cavs heading into the crucial 2010 free agency period. Shaq's 20 million dollar contract expires after this year, so comes off the books in 2010. I mean, wow, the Cavs are reall going for it this year. Its title or bust for the Cavs in 2009-2010. No more banter about Lebron needs more help, because that excuse is getting really old. Lebron has the pieces for a major run next year. I can't wait for next season already!