REPORT: Shaq to be Traded to Suns

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- In one of the most improbable trades in NBA history, Shaquille O'Neal is close to joining the run-and-gun Phoenix Suns, Sports Illustrated reported on its web site Tuesday night. Sources close to the Suns confirmed to SI's Jack McCallum - who spent the 2005-06 season with the team - that rumors of O'Neal being dealt from the Miami Heat to Phoenix are accurate.

The Miami Herald originally reported the deal on its web site, saying that the future Hall of Fame center will be sent to the Suns for forward Shawn Marion and backup point guard Marcus Banks. ESPN later said that the deal is so close that O'Neal is flying to Phoenix for a physical on Wednesday.

A plodding and oft-injured big man in the late stages of his career, O'Neal would be an awkward fit with Phoenix, which plays at an uptempo pace and is known for its philosophy of taking a shot within the first seven ticks of the shot clock. SI.com said that a decision has yet to be made, but the Heat made the initial calls because the relationship between O'Neal and team president and coach Pat Riley has become strained. That may be because of the dismal season in Miami, which is a league-worst 7-37 - just two campaigns removed from a championship.

The report said that the money would work under the salary cap. O'Neal makes $20 million, which is close to the combined salaries of Marion ($16.4 million) and Banks ($3.9 million).