Even though Shaquille O'Neal's current contract has two years remaining, Heat executive Pat Riley, will likely discuss an extension with the center prior to the beginning of the season.  

O'Neal has the abilitiy to opt-out of the contract following this coming season and may use that as leverage while negotiating an extension, even though the odds of him finding a more lucrative contract on the open market are vitually non-existent.

In other Heat news, Riley stated that he has yet to speak to free agent Karl Malone, but would be interested in signing the power forward.