Is Shaq worth $80 million to Cuban?

If Mark Cuban and the Mavericks should be serious about trading for Shaquille O'Neal, the reality is that Shaq will cost Cuban $80 million over the next two seasons.

O'Neal has two years left on his contract AFTER this season at $20 mil per. If the Mavs were to take on that salary, there's no way Cuban can stay under the luxury tax, meaning he would pay dollar-for-dollar in tax on Shaq's money. That's $80 mil for a 35-year-old center who can't stay healthy, and when he does get on the court, he's been a shell of his once-dominating self.

Now, you might say Avery Johnson no longer has interest in DeSagana Diop, who is in the final year of his contract and easy to move. And you might say Erick Dampier has his moments, but overall doesn't add a great deal. Does a Shaq-Dampier combo offer more than the Mavs currently get out of the position?

Possibly. But, is it really the missing ingredient to a title? And what about the next two seasons? Is the cost justifiable?

-- Jeff Caplan

Comments

[Darren]

If the Suns are really offering Marion and Banks, then any conversation is irrelevant; Dallas isn't beating that offer.

If the Suns don't do a deal (and I wouldn't if I were them), Dallas should absolutely jump in. Because of the style of play and needs, Shaq makes more sense in Dallas than anywhere.

The money and health concerns are the biggest issues. I imagine that Dallas has to deal Damp to make this make any sense. They would probably want to keep Diop and let him be the defensive backup for Shaq in that case. But you've still got to add some salary (and maybe talent). Does Jet do the trick?

If so, you actually didn't spend anymore money. You just spent what you already were in one position instead of two. And you could make a strong case that the money would be better spent on a legit post option than it would be on a defensive minded center and sixth man.