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The long-rumored deal is finally reality.


Franchise center Shaquille O'Neal has been traded to the Miami Heat, it was announced Wednesday.


In return, the Lakers get Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and a first-round pick.


O'Neal agreed to the trade Saturday, but it could not be completed until today, when a two-week leaguewide moratorium on trades and free-agent signings expired at midnight.


Last season, O'Neal averaged a career-low 21.5 points with 11.5 rebounds and 2.48 blocks. Over 12 seasons, he has averaged 27.1 points, 12.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks.


There was a potential snag: Odom's contract calls for a 15 percent "trade kicker," which means if Odom were dealt to another team, he would be due an extra 15 percent on his contract. In this case, that amount would total between $8.5 million and $9.5 million, in addition to the approximate $55 million remaining on Odom's current contract.


The "kicker" reportedly required some additional attention to detail. Apparently, the Lakers were not aware of the clause in Odom's contract at the time that they agreed to the trade with Miami.