Shawn Marion on trade rumor: "I'm a Miami Heat player..."

If you're wondering how Heat forward Shawn Marion reacted to the latest round of trade rumors involving him, he apparently is unaffected.

Marion addressed on Wednesday an erroneous Yahoo! Sports report saying the Cleveland Cavaliers and Heat were discussing a deal of Marion for forward Wally Szczerbiak and center Anderson Varejao, saying he thought "nothing" of it.

"I'm a Miami Heat player right now, that's what I'm focusing on," Marion said.

Marion said he didn't even see his name on ESPN's ticker citing the Yahoo report, and added that going into the final year of his contract he prepared himself for "everything."

But wasn't he curious about whether the published report was true?

"No, what am I going to do, sit there and panic every time somebody says something?" Marion said. "In this league everyone is making up rumors."

Asked whether he had sought to find out from president Pat Riley or other front office officials whether the Yahoo report was true, Marion said he didn't even bother asking during the Heat's holiday party Tuesday.

For all the talk about Marion not being a good fit with the Heat and his numbers being down this season, the veteran played it cool.

"I'm playing ball, I can't even worry about anything," Marion said. "Everyone is going to have their positives and negatives to say. At the end of the day I have to lace my shoes up regardless."

In Phoenix he was cast as a player sensitive to trade speculation but Marion disagreed with that perception.

"That's another rumor," he said Wednesday.

Coach Erik Spoelstra downplayed the latest Marion trade rumor and said he felt no need to pull aside Marion to discuss it.

"I don't pay attention to that and I don't think these guys do either," Spoelstra said. "There's so many rumors all the time. Guys joke around about other rumors from other teams."

Comments

[heat4ever]

I didn't believe it was true. It makes no sense to trade Marion (with an expiring contract) for two players with expiring contracts and no longterm good players. We really don't need Varejo when we have Anthony, Haslem, Beasley, Magloire and maybe Zo that play either the 4 or 5. Cook, Diawara and Jones (when healthy) are all good shooters from 3pt. range and player better defense than Wally Szcerbiak. It wouldn't make sense to trade won of our most valuable players for something we already have.

[blackthetrucker]

ok, this topic is a good one. my take is if you are going to trade marion at least get an all-star in return. you could go after melo, caron, t-mac or someone like that. or just keep him and let him go when the season is over. another way to clear space is package the rest of whats not wanted for marbury, blount,banks,cook,livingston and a 2nd rd pick to ny for marbury, that would give almost 40mil in cap space at the end of this year. now beasley, this kid is a scorer not a defensive whatever, let him do what he does well, thats it. D-Wade, i know it doesn't feel good playing with this group but be patient, if space is made for the off season its like what was done that summer when we made those moves to bring in posey and those guys that made that run with you for are first title.keep in touch.

[artm]

Heat's Pres Riley can talk to the Lakers. I think Odom and Radmanovich will be traded if Marion is offered

[heatstroked]

"Heat's Pres Riley can talk to the Lakers. I think Odom and Radmanovich will be traded if Marion is offered"
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He probably already has, though regarding whom or what is unclear. Odom + Rad for Marion would work straight up. It'd be a pretty fair swap in dollars + value *if* Odom could pull heavy minutes as a 5.

The Lakers might balk at losing Rad's 3pt skills unless they get it back in trade. The Heat could package Diawara or Jones (for 3pt collateral), but trading Diawara + Marion would leave gaping holes on MIA's defensive perimeter. Radmanovic, a 7-yr vet, has never been more than sometimes-interested mostly-erratic defender. He won't be a model for Beasley. I'd prefer returning (dumping) Dorell to his LA roots, but wouldn't anyone?

Also, Ariza (somewhat) mitigates LAL's need for a perimeter stopper, though Marion would give them boards + more energy around the rim.