Cleveland Cavaliers: A Sign-and-Trade With Shaquille O'Neal to Atlanta?

In recent sources, I have heard that the Cavaliers are in the process of doing a sign-and-trade with Shaquille O'Neal to the Atlanta Hawks to acquire Marvin Williams, whom the Cavs have been heavily chasing for the past couple of years.

Cavs GM Chris Gant was working as the Hawks' assistant GM when Atlanta took Williams with the second pick overall in the 2005 Draft, opting to take him over point guards Deron Williams (who went third to Utah) and Chris Paul (fourth to New Orleans). Williams started 81 games for the Hawks last season, averaging 10 points per game.

It would also be in line with new coach Byron Scott's desire to have a more up-tempo attack next season, with James depart to Miami. Scott has already indicated that J.J. Hickson will be the fulltime starter at power forward next season, and said during Tuesday's NBA TV Las Vegas Summer League game between the Cavaliers and the D-League Select Team, that he is considering bringing forward Antawn Jamison off the bench.

Last night, the Cavs offered Kyle Lowry a contract, which clearly fits the philosophy that Byron Scott invisions. The Cavs are doing pretty good moving forward without the King in my eyes, at least if the sign-and-trade pulls through for Marvin Williams.