The Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers have restarted talks that would send Shaquille O'Neal to play along side LeBron James next season, although no trade is imminent, reports said Sunday.

The possible deal would send Sasha Pavlovic and Ben Wallace to Phoenix for O'Neal, the Arizona Republic reported, citing unnamed sources.

The talks are still in the preliminary stages, ESPN reported, citing two unnamed executives familiar with the situation.

The trade would put O'Neal on a contending team again — the Cavs reached the Eastern Conference finals before losing to the Orlando Magic — while the Suns would save salary. O'Neal, 37, is scheduled to make $20 million next season in the final year of his deal. Wallace, who makes $14 million, is considering retiirement, and Pavlovic will make $4.95 million in his final year.

If Wallace takes a buyout or retires and Pavlovic is cut, the deal would save $9.9 million next season, the Arizona Republic reported.

Even though O'Neal is slowing down, the Cavs see him as someone who could help slow Magic center Dwight Howard if the teams meet again in the playoffs.

The trade was first discussed at the February trade deadline.

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