O'Neal, Diawara exercise options, will return to Heat

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

Both had contracts mandating they "opt in" for the final years of their deal. O'Neal will make nearly $23 million in 2009-10, 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, who started 21 games in his first season with Miami and third overall in the NBA, averaged 3.4 points per game.