Shaq headed to Cleveland ("90% done")

ESPN is reporting that the Phoenix Suns and the Cleveland Cavaliers are "90% done" in reaching a blockbuster deal that would send Shaq to Cleveland in exchange for Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic.

The impact of this trade will be enormous. Cleveland, which was obviously a championship-caliber team this season (and may have actually presented a better challenge to the Lakers than the Magic did), will only get better with a big body like Shaq. Plus, they are giving up two guys who essentially amount to spare parts. And giving up Wallace's salary helps them deal with Shaq's huge contract.

Part of the reason Orlando lost to Los Angeles in the Finals was that they didn't have a big man (beyond the relatively ineffective Dwight Howard) to counter Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. Shaq is far from his 2000-2004 form, but he can still pound the paint. You heard it here first: if Shaq is a Cavalier next year, Cleveland will win it all. He makes a great time really, really great.