Shaquille O'Neal is under contract to the Miami Heat for one more year and Pat Riley plans to build around O'Neal for several upcoming seasons, and hopes the team can sign the 12-time All-Star to a deal allowing him to end his career in Miami.
O'Neal's contract situation -- he can opt out of his existing deal and become a free agent this summer, although it's doubtful he'll leave Miami -- is the biggest issue facing the Heat these days.
"We have agreed to agree to agree to move forward," Riley said Friday. "And it would be absolute insanity not to try to work out ... a deal that's going to keep Shaquille O'Neal in Miami for the next four or five years."
Until the O'Neal matter is settled, the Heat likely won't make any significant personnel moves.
"Shaquille's going to be the highest-paid player in this game," Riley said.