The entire NBA world is on pins and needles this weekend as the Shaquille O'neal trade saga appears to be nearing to an end. We'll be able to get back to our regular lives now.

The Lakers were preoccupied for most of the day as they announced the signing of their new coach Rudy Tomjanovich  
in Los Angeles.

The Heat on the other hand were busy courting Shaq in Orlando and it appears that the honeymoon between him and Pat Riley has already begun, they've received his blessing to pull the trigger and are eager to bring the Daddy in.

According to sources, the two teams have essentially agreed to pull off the trade already, and that news has already been relayed to "assistant GM" Kobe Bryant for his approval. Kobe doesn't know what the entire deal is right now, he just needed to know that the Lakers are working on dumping Shaq.

The major sticking point as of right now appears to be Caron Butler, the 24 year old former #10 pick who struggled for most of the season last year but was a huge part of Miami's late surge towards the end of the year and especially in the playoffs.

The fact of the matter is that Miami does not have to include Butler in this deal to make it work, Malik Allen and a 1st rounder should suit them just fine, the Lakers are the ones that are being pressured by Kobe Bryant to move Shaq by the time free agent signings open up on the 15th or else he will sign with the Clippers.

Miami is in great shape for next year with or without Shaq, there is no reason to give up 3/5th of their starting lineup and try to make a pathetic run at the NBA finals with only Wade, Jones and Shaq and no pieces to make the team better. Who is Miami going to bring in at this point to play the 3 and 4 spots for them?

There just isn't a better trade for Shaq on the table that would bring back a player of Lamar Odom's caliber and for good reason, Shaq is going to ask for a huge extension that will keep him on the roster for the next 5 years while he eats up at least 2/3rds of the salary cap.

Pat Riley needs to be firm on keeping Caron Butler out of this trade and insist on sending Malik Allen and a future 1st instead. This deal makes no sense for the Heat if Butler is involved. If the Lakers don't like that offer, they have four days to work out something else and hope that Kobe is happy with that.