Others with the Jazz were equally diplomatic when asked about their initial reaction to the swap, which has draw criticism from some quarters of the NBA.

"I understand what Steve Kerr's doing," Collins added with regard to the Suns' relatively new basketball boss. "You know, with the team that they had they hadn't gotten any further — and bringing in Shaquille O'Neal, a person who has won multiple championships in different places, been to the championship series in every place he's gone, I think that was what (Kerr) was trying do, (address) what can they, as a team, can do to get over the hump."

Okur, who'll now be guarded by the burly and physical O'Neal rather than the lean and athletic Marion, admitted a degree of shock when first hearing the deal had gone down.

"Because Phoenix, Shaq, such an up-tempo team, and they tried to settle down with him," he said.

Utah's big Turk also withheld judgment when asked if he thought Phoenix would be ultimately be better or worse with the man now being called The Big Cactus.

"It's hard to tell," he said. "Because how many games they play with him?"

The answer is eight, with the Suns going just 3-5 in that span — and O'Neal averaging only 10 points, but also 11.3 rebounds since arriving in Arizona.

While on one hand that may be cause for pause, it also leaves those with the Jazz as leery as ever when O'Neal — who has four NBA titles and two NBA MVP awards to his credit — is on the floor.

Especially on a night when the season series between the two teams — potential first-round NBA playoff opponents — is up for grabs.

"I don't know that he's gonna get enough touches to (consistently) get 20 (points) and 10 (boards) with the offense that they have right now in Phoenix," Collins said. "But he can definitely get you 10 rebounds."

"I know they've struggled a little bit with him being there," Jazz All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer added, "but when they figure it out it should be a pretty good team."

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com