It never has been more obvious that Riley should go through with a trade that sends Shawn Marion and his expiring contract away and returns any quality player with a contract that expires in 2010.

The past two games alone should be enough of an indication that Marion is not enough of a difference-maker to even consider hanging onto for the sake of this better-than-expected season.

Marion didn't play against the Thunder on Sunday, and the Heat won anyway. Marion played only eight minutes Wednesday against the Celtics, and the Heat would have been humbled had he played 40 minutes.

You don't miss him enough when he's gone, and you don't get enough when he's there.

Granted, he was playing with a sore groin Wednesday, but Marion is not enough of a playmaker to provide relief for Dwyane Wade against a championship-caliber defense like Boston's. And Marion becomes less of a defensive presence if the opposition makes the extra pass and nullifies his help defense, which is his greatest strength.

CAN ONLY HELP

Even if there's a strong argument in favor of Marion, even if his occasionally impressive stat lines have you hypnotized, even if Marion's presence was the difference in two, three or even five Heat victories this season, it's not the reason Riley cannot go wrong by moving him.

As hard as it is to grasp for those who require immediate satisfaction, which is just about everybody, it's not about "right now" with this team.

A trade of Marion would be about providing this franchise with its best opportunity at returning to elite status and contending for multiple titles.

The only justification for keeping Marion would be if someone believed this team is on the verge of a championship run this season. Anyone who believes that is beyond disillusioned. This particular group might not have peaked, but that ceiling isn't far from slapping them across the head the way the Celtics just did.

NO DIFFERENCE

The rest of this season will play out similarly, whether it's Jermaine O'Neal filling that fifth starter position or Brad Miller or Josh Howard.

But if Riley were to figure out a way to unload Marion and Marcus Banks, whose contract is a constant pain to the team because it lasts beyond 2010, then the ending of the Heat's seasons beginning in 2010 will likely come some time in late June.

The team would go from a franchise with good space in a bad 2009 free agent season to seemingly unlimited space in arguably the best free agent summer ever.

But, hey, if it means more to you to keep Marion and fight for home-court advantage in one round of the playoffs, more power to shortsightedness.

The Toronto Raptors appear poised to take Marion and Banks for O'Neal. And if the trigger is pulled, there undoubtedly will be a group of pundits who claim the Heat effectively traded one outdated O'Neal (Shaquille) for another. If it was space in 2010 the Heat wanted, then why not hold on to the older O'Neal and allow his contract to expire that offseason, they would say.

But moving that O'Neal was a necessity at the time for so many reasons. And it's unlikely a Michael Beasley or Mario Chalmers or Daequan Cook would have been allowed to develop as quickly with him still around.

So that leaves the Heat looking toward 2010 to rejoin the elite, and again make games against teams such as the Celtics competitive instead of absurdly one-sided.

If this season still means that much to you, then consider this: Does it make much sense that three of your best six players (Marion, Beasley and Udonis Haslem) are at their best when they play the power forward position? At least a Jermaine O'Neal brings a balance that this team desperately needs, even if his health is something of a question mark.

The benefit of moving Marion is no longer a question mark. It's as certain now as it ever has been.

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