Not sure. Either it will go down as another bad idea or as one of their better ones.

Phoenix made this trade in order to make a title run happen this year.  But in doing so, they essentially sold out key components of their future.  Win now, lose later is the thinking.  Miami is the big winner here.  Marion and Marcus Banks are the foundation of a rebuilding effort that will likely reinvigorate the Heat in no time flat.  With a top three draft pick imminent, they will likely pick up some more blue-chip talent for next year.  Shaq will help Phoenix in the short term, but in the long term, maybe not. 

Still boycotting the NBA, sorry...

This was a desperate move. Nash has one or two good years left, and the championship window is closing on this team. The dirty little secret on the Suns is how much they miss old man Kurt Thomas, who would take the heat off of Amare and guard the other team's big man. Stoudemire is undersized and uninspired on the defensive end. What Shaq can still do is clog the middle. You just can't post him up - he's too large. His role on the suns will be to clog the middle, rebound the ball, and outlet, keeping Amare rested and out of foul trouble. I expect to see the Suns scoring the ball before Shaq even crosses half court.

Could it work? Possibly. Shaq may gear up and work hard to get his conditioning together for a push for a last ring. But if it doesn't work this year, the Suns will start to fade...

Shaq fans haven't been realistic about the decline of the big Aristotle. He became an injury liability on a terrible Miami team and he is (at best) a questionable fit for a run-and-gun Suns team. With good wheels, I have a hard time seeing Shaq playing Sun-ball. With bad wheels, I just can't see it. Not as big a 'sports' story as people think. . .it's an old HOF'er getting traded- happens all the time in this league.

Shaq has been the most important NBA player since Michael Jordan retired, which makes this a big story...even if he is on the downside of his career. Unlike some sports stories, which only matter for a week or two, this one will continue to build up as the season goes along. Until the Suns lose in the playoffs, Shaq's presence in Phoenix will be a big deal. If they lose in the first round, then it becomes a big deal because the Suns destroyed a great team. If he takes them to the NBA finals, then it becomes a big deal because Shaq comes through one last time and puts the Suns over the top. Either way that it plays out, it should be an interesting story.

Shaq in Phoenix is a huge story.  Why?  Phoenix has had this same stud run and gun offense for a few years now, posting great regular season records but coming up short in the playoffs.  Put them against a team with a solid big man and they are toast.  What does every NBA Finals since 1999 have in common?  They have had either Tim Duncan or Shaquille O'Neill in every one.  He's a huge presence down low and can bang bodies with anyone in the league.  With 4 guys running the court the Suns are still going to be one of fastest teams in the league, and now you've got weak D but potent offensive threat Amare Stoudemire at forward, his natural position.  This is a great move for Phoenix, Marion wanted out of there anyway for a long time, and if the Suns are going to win one with this crew (Steve Nash isn't getting any younger either) they are going need to put a sense of urgency on this thing.  Besides, Shaq says he's going to bring the Title - who's going to argue with Shaq?

This trade completely blows my mind. Was the management in Phoenix high or something? Sure Phoenix could use a little muscle down low, but I seriously doubt an aging Shaq in less than perfect health is what they need. Shaq may provide better low post defense to stop guys like Duncan from destroying them, but they're really going to miss Marion. Maybe the trade will rejuvenate Shaq, but I really think this drops Phoenix out of title contention. Miami fans, on the other hand, should love this trade.