One is the King, a reigning MVP who at age 24 needs only a championship to complete his resume. The other is a larger-than-life personality who may be past the prime of his career but remains an undeniable force and hungers for a fifth NBA title.

LeBron and Shaq. Teammates.

The Cleveland Cavaliers executed a blockbuster trade Thursday to unite the superstars, acquiring Shaquille O'Neal from the Phoenix Suns in hopes he can help LeBron James deliver this seemingly sportscursed city its first major pro championship in 45 years.

The deal creates a tandem that instantly rivals any in sports today and calls to mind some of the great duos in NBA history: Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bob Cousy and Bill Russell, Shaq himself and Kobe Bryant.

More important, if Cleveland's gamble works and the 37-year-old O'Neal delivers a title, it could keep James around. James is an Akron native, knows Cleveland's pained sports history and has always maintained he wants to stay in his home state, but there is no guarantee he will sign an extension with the Cavs.

Cleveland can offer him one as early as this summer.

Hours before an NBA draft that figured to be overshadowed by the Shaq-to-the-Cavs move, the reality of James playing with O'Neal, a 15- time All-Star, was just sinking in.

"Shaq is an incredible ballplayer and a fourtime NBA champion," James said."I have a lot of respect for him and his game."