PHOENIX, Arizona - The Miami Heat have traded center Shaquille O'Neal to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks, the Heat said on Wednesday.

Phoenix have the best record in the Western Conference but believe they need a bigger inside presence to battle with the likes of San Antonio's Tim Duncan and the Los Angeles Lakers' newly acquired Pau Gasol.

"We're thrilled to add a player and person of Shaquille's quality to our roster," Suns general manager Steve Kerr said.

"We decided to make this move based on our feeling that it gives us a better chance to succeed in the play offs, which is what it comes down to...We felt that it was a great opportunity."

The 35-year-old O'Neal, a four-time NBA champion, played four seasons with the Orlando Magic, eight with the L.A Lakers, and was in his fourth season with the Heat.

This season he has been hampered by fitness problems and has averaged a career low 14 points while missing 14 games due to a nagging hip injury.

"I wasn't going to do this unless I felt really good about it from a medical standpoint, that's why we brought Shaquille in ...to meet with our medical group," Kerr added.

"The reports that I got were really, really good."

The Heat, who have the NBA's worst record at 9-37 and have lost 19 of their last 20 games, are looking to rebuild. They then lost to Detroit after the trade was announced.

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