Heat Gets Walker in 5-Team Deal

In the largest trade in NBA history, Antoine Walker was dealt from Boston to Miami on Tuesday night in a transaction involving five teams and 13 players.

The Heat also acquired point guard Jason Williams and small forward James Posey from Memphis, while the Grizzlies received guard Eddie Jones from the Heat. The New Orleans Hornets and Utah Jazz were also involved in the deal.

The trade was larger than a 12-player, four-team deal in 2000 involving Patrick Ewing.

Miami also received Andre Emmett from Memphis and the draft rights to Roberto Duenas of Spain from the Hornets; Utah received Greg Ostertag from Memphis; Boston picked up Curtis Borchardt from Utah and a package -- Qyntel Woods, the draft rights to Spanish center Albert Miralles, two second-round draft picks and cash -- from Miami; New Orleans acquired Rasual Butler from Miami and Kirk Snyder from Utah; and the Grizzlies received guard Raul Lopez from the Jazz.

Hours after signing Shaquille O’Neal to a five-year deal, the Heat added three significant pieces to a roster that nearly reached the NBA Finals last season.

Walker, a three-time All-Star, figures to become the starting small forward and would be backed up by Posey, one of the league’s better defenders.

Walker signed a six-year deal worth nearly $53 million with Boston as the deal’s preliminary framework.

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O’Neal will make $20 million in each of the next five seasons in an agreement believed to include incentives. He was to have earned $30.6 million this coming season, but opted out of that deal for a longer pact with less money annually.

“Shaquille can name his price,” said his agent, Perry Rogers. “And the price he named was winning.”

The deal was signed shortly after the league’s moratorium on player signings expired Tuesday.

O’Neal never looked to go elsewhere. He didn’t even speak with other clubs.

“I’m very excited about my new agreement with the Heat,” O’Neal said in a statement released by the team. “This contract allows me to address all of my family’s long-term financial goals while allowing the Heat the ability to acquire those players that we need to win a championship.”

The Heat is also awaiting a decision from backup center Alonzo Mourning, who’s considering retirement.

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The Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns ran into “procedural issues” Tuesday, holding up a sign-and-trade deal that would send guard Joe Johnson to the Hawks.

The Hawks wouldn’t reveal the nature of the hang-up, but said the deal had not been finalized.

“At this time, there is a procedural issue regarding the reported deal with Atlanta and Phoenix that needs to be resolved,” Atlanta General Manager Billy Knight said in a statement. “That’s all I can say at this time.”

The Hawks would send Phoenix two first-round picks, second-year guard Boris Diaw and a $4.9-million trade exception for the 6-foot-7 Johnson.

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Robert Horry, one of the NBA’s clutch three-point shooters and the star of Game 5 of the NBA Finals, has signed a new contract to remain with the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs also announced the signing of Argentine forward Fabricio Oberto, who has played in Europe the last seven years.

The 6-10 Oberto played with Spur guard Manu Ginobili on the Argentine team that won the Olympic gold medal in Athens.

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On the day the Philadelphia 76ers were expected to announce they had re-signed Willie Green to a $20-million, six-year contract, they instead said the deal was on hold because the guard injured his knee in a pickup game.

President Billy King said Green suffered cartilage damage and needs knee surgery.

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The Portland Trail Blazers signed Shareef Abdur-Rahim, then traded him to New Jersey for a protected first-round draft pick next year. If the draft pick is a lottery selection, then Portland would receive the following year’s first-round pick from the Nets.... The Charlotte Bobcats acquired center Jake Voskuhl from Phoenix, traded Jason Hart to Sacramento and re-signed Kareem Rush.... Free-agent guard Antonio Daniels officially joined the Washington Wizards.... Center Jerome James, who played with Seattle last season, signed a five-year, $30-million contract with the New York Knicks.... The Boston Celtics signed former New Jersey forward Brian Scalabrine to a five-year contract.... Gund Arena in Cleveland will become Quicken Loans Arena, named after the online mortgage giant that Cavalier owner Dan Gilbert founded.