Shaq

Done deal: Shaq bound for Phoenix for Marion, Banks

Shaquille O'Neal, traded by the Heat to Suns in exchange for Shawn Marion, right, and Marcus Banks, will speak about the detail in a noon ET news conference Thursday.

By Paul Coro, The Arizona Republic
The Suns have agreed to the trade that will bring center Shaquille O'Neal to Phoenix in exchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.
O'Neal passed his physical exam to the Suns' satisfaction this afternoon and a trade call was being placed with the league to make the trade official.

O'Neal flew into the Valley today and could even be in attendance at US Airways Center on Wednesday night for Phoenix's 7 p.m. game with New Orleans.

Though O'Neal has been out with a hip injury, it was believed that he would pass the physical because he is in great condition and is said to be at 312 pounds (down from his listed 325 pounds) with low body fat.

He seems to be a motivated player too, having jumped on a plane this morning after talking to several of the Suns, such as Steve Nash and Amaré Stoudemire, on Tuesday night.

"I will not let you down," O'Neal told Nash on the phone.

O'Neal's soon-to-be former teammates are in Detroit today.

"Nothing has been completed," Heat coach and President Pat Riley told the Miami Herald Wednesday. "These things have backed up before."

The Herald, which broke the trade's news Tuesday, also quoted Heat star Dwyane Wade, saying, "I have no reaction because I don't know the truth. Until that time comes, this is the NBA. I'm not surprised at anything."

Phoenix will have to sign another player after completing the trade because it will be one man shy of the league's 13-man roster minimum. Richie Frahm would likely be a possibility because he spent training camp and preseason with the Suns and was recently with the Clippers.