Looks like the Grizzlies trade of Pau Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers has already had an effect on the Western Conference. The Phoenix Suns, owners of the best record in the West, are close to becoming the first team to react to Lakers acquiring Gasol. The Suns are currently deciding whether to pull the trigger on a trade with the Miami Heat that would sent aging center Shaquille O’Neal to Phoenix in exchange for forward Shawn Marion and point guard Marcus Banks.

The Suns believe the addition of Shaq will allow them to move Amare Stoudemire to his natural power forward position. They also believe that O’Neal will give them more of a defensive presence in the middle, which would keep the undersized Stoudemire out of foul trouble from having to guard centers much bigger than he is.

Two issues the Suns are contemplating, though, are Shaq’s health and his hefty contract of $20 million per season for the next two years. O’Neal, who turns 36 in March, has been plagued with a hip injury. That makes his acquisition a gamble for the Suns, who are looking to get over the hump that has prevented them from reaching the NBA Finals.

Apparently, both O’Neal and Marion are happy to be leaving their respective clubs. O’Neal has seen his relationship with Miami coach/president Pat Riley strained this season. And prior to the season, Marion requested a trade.

It will be interesting to see whether Shaq has anything left in the tank. If healthy, this could be the type of motivation he needs to lead his third team to a NBA title. But chances are Shaq is simply unable to keep up anymore with centers like Andrew Bynum, Tyson Chandler or even Tim Duncan.

Either way, the move makes the Western Conference that much more intriguing. Now let’s see if Dallas owner Mark Cuban has the guts to follow suit by pulling off a trade with New Jersey for Jason Kidd.

Stay tuned.