I don’t think Shaquille O’Neil tops the list of priorities this offseason, but I also don’t think he’s that far down the list and in my oppinion his acquisition is the most likely to actualy happen.

He was 10.7 wins above replacement last season, still an offensive threat in the post and the boards, and the big bodied defensive presence that can handle the other bigs in the league.

Now if he picked up O’Neal, couple him with Z and we have two slow footed centers. If Andy leaves we are going to have to get someone else that can play the center position against small quick lineups that are more prevelent in the league. Also both Z and O’Neal should have their minutes kept down during the season.

Brian Windhorst gives his thoughts about this speculation today. He acknowledges that there have been talks but says that any deal is still far away. He think that Phoenix may look for a better deal out there than the Cavs could offer (which would mostly be a salary dump and not a talent acquisition).

One interesting note from Brian is that one of the sticking points to a possible deal for Shaq in February was the Suns’ interest in Delonte West, who is nearly untouchable for the Cavs right now. That’s the first time I’ve heard about this.

Talking about how Gilbert is blaming people within the organization for not making any team altering deals. (Seems to me if that is the case, which we don’t know if it is or isn’t, hindsight is 20/20.)

The short 15 word blurb is at the bottom.

and not worthy of front page news.

Part of me wants to this happen tomorrow just for the shock factor.
I’m the kind of person that wants instant satisfaction, very impatient. I’d love to wake up in the morning and read…

BREAKING NEWS: Shaq officially to Cavs

Then again, I assume this would eliminate all hope for acquiring Charlie Villanueva, whose younger and another bright prospect.

Brian Windhorst goes through the pros and cons of trading for Shaq in his blog today. I don’t think this trade would be a slam-dunk, huge upgrade, but I think it would make them better and add another dimension to the team. I’d like to see Ferry continue to shop around and see what other trades they could make. I’d rather have a younger player, even if he doesn’t have the name recognition of Shaq, who could be with the Cavs for longer and possibly be on the upside instead of the downside of his career, but there may not be a player like that available. I think that a guy like Charlie Villanueva would help the Cavs more than Shaq would, but I don’t know what he would cost. And of course getting Bosh would be fantastic but the Cavs don’t have the players to make that trade.

O’Neal reportedly has some demands. He would like a two-year contract extension, and assurance that James will remain with the Cavaliers for at least the next three seasons.

Lifted this quote from Chris Broussard’s piece about the potential Shaq to Cleveland trade.

If so, than this puts a bit of pressure on James to negotiate an extension this summer. Could be just a rumor, but interesting none the less…