Im not sure on this but I know if you retire early ..you are still on the salary cap of the team until the end of your contract...just like Van Horn being tradded to the Nets from Mavericks after he retired.
Again.. I dont want to start anything with you..but do you really hate Shaq that much that you follow every story that is related to him and post about it..or do you really just care about Shaq? No pun intended..just really curious and confused.
That was different though because Van Horn just told the Mavs he was retired, he didn't formally retire. Retiring wouldn't be necessary though, as we learned from the Utah/Fisher thing, a contract can be voided if both sides consent. Fisher didn't count against Utah's cap and neither would Shaq, but it would require Shaq to agree to it, and that won't happen.
What would have to happen is, the Suns would release Shaq, Shaq would waive the rest of his salary, and then the Suns would re-sign Shaq as a free agent for a more reasonable contract. There MIGHT be a rule against the player re-signing with the team that released him though, I don't know if the NBA would allow that. Fisher was going to another team, I have never heard of a team and player consenting to a mutual departure so they could re-sign a new deal.
Sadly for the Suns, the question is moot anyway, there is no way Shaq would agree to it. Shaq isn't the type of player to take one for the team.