O'Neal, Diawara to return to Miami next season

MIAMI (AP) -- Forwards Jermaine O'Neal and Yakhouba Diawara of the Miami Heat exercised options to remain under contract for next season.

Both had contracts mandating they "opt in" for the final years of their deals. O'Neal will make nearly $23 million in the 2009-10 NBA season, while Diawara's salary is around $900,000.

O'Neal averaged 13.3 points and 6.4 rebounds this past season for the Heat and Toronto. Diawara, the France international who started 21 games in his first season with Miami and third overall in the NBA, averaged 3.4 points per game.

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