
CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Cleveland Cavaliers are close to acquiring Phoenix center Shaquille O'Neal in a trade that would pair him with NBA MVP LeBron James, two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The Cavs and Phoenix Suns have reached an agreement in principle on the deal, which gives the Cavaliers two of the league's biggest superstars.
O'Neal will join Cleveland in exchange for center Ben Wallace, guard Sasha Pavlovic, a second-round draft pick (No. 46 overall in Thursday's draft) and cash, said the two people who spoke on condition of anonymity because the league still must approve the deal.
Yahoo! Sports first reported the deal.
The trade, which the sides had been discussing for months, gives the Suns financial flexibility in the future. O'Neal has just one season left on a $20 million contract and Wallace, who ended last season saying he may retire, is in the final year of a $14 million deal