I was ready to post a Odom/Walton for Marion article ’til I updated my Inbox, received an e-mail, and saw that Marion has decided not to opt out. Freakin’ rumors! Now, we can put all this talk to rest… *cough*Elton Brand*cough*!
Miami Herald: Agent Dan Fegan said he has reached an impasse with Heat president Pat Riley after a month of on-and-off negotiations on an extension. Fegan said he informed the Heat of Marion’s decision.
Marion faced a deadline of 6 p.m. Tuesday to notify the Heat and league of his intensions. Fegan declined to discuss details of the negotiations. But Marion, 30, was believed to be seeking an extension of at least three seasons at an average salary of about $13 million a season.
Riley, whose priority has been to create maximum salary-cap space by the summer of 2010, is believed to have preferred an extension that averaged about $10 million a season.
”I spoke to Shawn again [Monday night] and we’ve decided that he’s not going to opt out,” Fegan said. “It just wasn’t in Shawn’s best interest. That’s all I can really say about it right now.”
Marion, who worked out in Chicago on Monday with Heat guard Dwyane Wade, could not be reached for comment. By declining to opt out, Marion faces the likelihood of playing out a lame-duck season with the Heat. He already has been mentioned in trade rumors because he stands to enter the 2008-09 season with an expiring contract that could be attractive to teams seeking relief.
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