Raptors and Pacers Make Trade
Jermaine O'Neal Heads to Toronto in Exchange for T.J. Ford
Jun 26, 2008
O'Neal had been unhappy in Indiana for some time and has suffered from an array of injuries over the past few seasons. Ford was not pleased in Toronto this last year after his injury allowed the Raptors' reserve point guard Jose Calderon to play a lot of minutes and show he was also worthy of the starting job; Ford became instant trade bait. So, both teams have decided to help each other out. In exchange for O'Neal, the Pacers will also receive center Rasho Nesterovic, forward Maceo Baston and the 17th pick in this evening's draft (they already own the 11th pick).
So, the big question is: Who wins with this deal? Well, it would be safe to say that both do, but that is also pending a few issues. Let's look at the positives and negatives for each team:
Positives for the Pacers:
1. They shed O'Neal's $44 million worth of salary over the next two years, perhaps allowing them to sign a key free agent over the summer.
2. They acquire a proven starting point guard in Ford, a move that allows them more options in regards to Jamaal Tinsley, the inconsistent and oft-injured guard who's been in his share of off-court trouble.
3. They acquire another first-round draft pick in tonight's draft. They can draft big to help replace O'Neal AND small, making Tinsley more expendable and giving Ford a back-up point guard.
4. They receive two veteran role players in Nesterovic and Baston (though they won't win you any championships).
Negatives for the Pacers:
1. They no longer have a dangerous big man up front. All they are left with are Jeff Foster, David Harrison, Troy Murphy and now, Nesterovic (none of these players will ever carry a team like O'Neal could).
2. They don't possess a truly prominent, marketable player. O'Neal was that player after Reggie Miller retired in 2005. Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavy are good players but aren't going to sell as well as O'Neal.
3. T.J. Ford has had his share of injuries (last season and in 2004-05, when a spinal cord injury sidelined him for the entire year).
4. They almost HAVE to move Tinsley now (this might actually be a positive).
Positives for the Raptors:
1. They acquire an six-time All-Star power forward in O'Neal who, if healthy, is a top scorer, rebounder and one of the league's best defensive players (something Toronto sorely lacks).
2. They have another true big man to take some of the pressure off of Chris Bosh and form a potentially potent new duo up front for Toronto.
3. O'Neal can help sell the team in Toronto. A player of his status can sell a lot of jerseys and fill a lot of seats.
4. They shed the $25 million they'd owe Ford in salary over the next three years.
Negatives for the Raptors:
1. Whether or not O'Neal can return to All-Star form is the big question in this trade. He played only 42 games last season due to injury and has been in and out of the line-up over the past few seasons.
2. They no longer have a first-round draft pick this year.
3. They have a great starting point guard in Calderon but not much behind him. Carlos Delfino and Anthony Parker have been known to bring the ball up the floor but they're not true point guards.
4. They inherit O'Neal's hefty salary.
The trade can't be made official until July 1st, when the NBA's salary cap rules will be changing and will allow space for the deal to happen. The terms of the deal might change but as it stands right now, health will be the number-one factor in determining which team truly wins.
