Suns could swap two UNLV players for Shaq

By Rob Miech

Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008 | 11:35 p.m.

Giving up a couple of Rebels for Superman would be a steal for the Phoenix Suns.

If Miami center Shaquille O'Neal passes a physical in Phoenix today, the Suns will get a fresh start by trading former UNLV players Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to the Heat, according to an ESPN article.

In salary, it's a wash. In practicality, it's a no-brainer because Phoenix would be getting something for the petulant Marion, who could opt out of his deal after the season anyway.

And in theory, it's time for the Suns to trash the break-neck, score-every-seven-seconds system. Well, maybe not completely. But, to date, it hasn't netted them an NBA championship.

Phoenix guard Steve Nash would still be the rudder of a sweet fastbreak, but Shaq would offer the Suns a quality option in the post. Remember, he's still serviceable — O'Neal has recorded nine double-doubles this season.

Banks, a Las Vegas native, hasn't fit in well in parts of two seasons backing up the workhorse Nash. He'll have 7-for-23 shooting stretches, like the one he had in January. He had as many turnovers, 10, as assists that month, too. A new venue could benefit him and the Heat, who would like the fact that he's six years younger than the 32-year-old Jason Williams.

The addition of O'Neal would free up Amare Stoudemire to face the basket, in the power forward role he covets. Leandro Barbosa, Raja Bell, Boris Diaw and Grant Hill would fly down the wings.

The Suns already own the best record, at 34-14, in the Western Conference. But that is fool's gold; it's only February. What matters is June, and O'Neal owns four rings. To get a fifth, he needs the Suns.

And they need him.