"Shawn is a piece that should be given an opportunity to fit in with the team," Colangelo said in a conference call last night. "He's not necessarily a rental player, that's not necessarily the case."

Marion, 30, has average 12 points and nine rebounds a game with Miami this season. Colangelo was acutely aware of his abilities; Marion spent the first nine years of his career with Colangelo and the Phoenix Suns.

"Shawn could be a valuable piece with this team in this system," said Colangelo.

But the fact remains the Raptors gain some financial flexibility this summer with the move, which has been talked about for almost a month.

Marion's contract -- more than $17 million this season -- expires in June while O'Neal carries a price tag of more than $23 million next season. While final financial figures won't be available until the end of the season, the move could free up more than $10 million for Colangelo to use this summer.

"One of the by-products is future flexibility but this is as much about now as the future," said the general manager.

Colangelo envisions a Raptor front line of Marion, Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani that provides all the ingredients for a 21-34 team to make a late push for the playoffs. He points to the fact Bargnani was most effective playing alongside Bosh while O'Neal was sidelined with an injury and says Marion should address a gaping hole at the small forward position.

"He (Marion) is one of the better rebounding small forwards in the league when he's at that position," said Colangelo. "At the end of the day, I think you're going to see better flow (with Toronto's offence)."

The 2010 draft pick included won't necessarily move to Miami for years. The "protection" put on it means Toronto wouldn't surrender choice until the first year the Raptors miss the playoffs between 2010 and 2015.

And by holding on to the pick until 2010, Colangelo has the chance, perhaps in some other transaction, to get back into that draft.