Report: Heat set to trade O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal is prepared for the Miami Heat to trade him, a confidant of the 14-time All-Star center told the Associated Press on Tuesday night.

O’Neal’s associate indicated a move could be imminent, adding, “Shaq thinks something will happen.”

The Miami Herald reported earlier Tuesday that the Heat are in “serious and ongoing” trade negotiations with the Phoenix Suns, and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel said the deal could occur “within 48 hours.” A Heat spokesman said the team had no comment, and several Suns officials didn’t return phone calls from the AP.

The Herald report said the Suns would send Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to Miami in exchange for O’Neal, 35, who is averaging a career-low 14.2 points and 7.8 rebounds and has been sidelined for two weeks by a hip injury.

Multiple media outlets reported late Tuesday night that O’Neal would be in Phoenix today to undergo a physical. The Arizona Republic reported O’Neal had contacted some Suns players.

When asked last week about trade speculation, Heat Coach Pat Riley said, “Not true.”

O’Neal, who has two years and $40 million left on his contract, was acquired by the Heat from the Lakers in July 2004.

The Heat have lost 19 of its last 20 games and has the NBA’s worst record at 9-37 -- meaning the 2006 NBA champions are almost a lock to miss the postseason. Phoenix, meanwhile, is 1 1/2 games ahead of New Orleans and Dallas atop the Western Conference.

Marion, 29, asked to be traded before the season began. He is set to make $17 million next season, the final year of his contract, but can opt out of the deal and become a free agent. He is averaging 15.8 points and 9.9 rebounds.

Banks, 26, is averaging 5.2 points.

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James pleaded no contest to driving 101 mph on his 23rd birthday in December and was ordered to pay $259 in fines and court costs in Medina, Ohio.