J.O. close to being a Raptor

[JamStone]

Agreed in principle. It's close.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AsU_2XrFiovt.io1IuzC4nS8vLYF?slug=aw-jermaineonealtraded062508&prov=yhoo&type=lgns


O’Neal nearing trade to Toronto for Ford

By Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports

NEW YORK – After on-and-off again negotiations, the Indiana Pacers have agreed in principle to send six-time All-Star Jermaine O’Neal to the Toronto Raptors for point guard T.J. Ford and the 17th pick in Thursday’s NBA draft, a league executive said Wednesday.

After nearly completing the deal earlier in the week, Pacers and Raptors officials needed to exchange more medical information on O’Neal’s left knee and Ford’s neck before finding a comfort level with the trade. It is believed both sides now are comfortable making the deal, though the trade won’t be complete until both O’Neal and Ford pass their physicals.

Toronto also will send Rasho Nesterovic and another role player to match up with O’Neal’s salary. O’Neal is owed $44 million over the next two seasons. He played just 42 games for Indiana a year ago with a left knee injury. O’Neal has expressed a desire to leave the Pacers for a contender.

Ford, who has a history of neck injuries, became expendable when Toronto GM Bryan Colangelo decided that he wanted to make Jose Calderon the franchise’s future at point guard.

The Pacers would now hold the 11th and 17th picks in the draft.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Damn, if O'Neal stays healthy(which he won't), a Bosh/O'Neal frontcourt? :wow

[xtremesteven33]

Bosh and Oneal?

sounds great....lets see if Jermaine can stay healthy

[Medvedenko]

I like this deal for the raps. If Oneal stays of the DL, it's a nice athletic front court.

[stretch]

im wondering why they would get o'neal to begin with, since they already have bosh, and need to develop bargnani. are they doing this to get the pick, and to re-trade J-O'neal for a different piece?

[DazedAndConfused]

Hoping O'Neal can stay healthy for the Raps. Him and Bosh would be a nice frontcourt.

[djohn14]

Maybe they'll put Bargnani at SF...just a thought, but for the Pacers 2 first rounders is good, and they could use those to trade up in the draft if they want a OJ Mayo/Eric Gordan/Jerryd Bayless to go with Granger who is a rising star.

[TheProfessor]

Looks like Sacramento will get the PG they covet.

[JamStone]

im wondering why they would get o'neal to begin with, since they already have bosh, and need to develop bargnani. are they doing this to get the pick, and to re-trade J-O'neal for a different piece?

You can play all three 30-35 mpg. Bargnani at around 25 mpg is pretty good as he is still developing, and if he gets better, that's fine because the Raptors probably want to monitor JO's minutes to limit the risk of injury. And as mentioned, I can see them going big and putting Bargnani at small forward for short stretches. It's all about JO's health. If he's able to stay relatively healthy, it's a very good move for Toronto. When healthy, JO is a top 10 big man in the league.

[T Park]

I bet the Raptors turn around and try and trade Bargnani now.

[SpursFanFirst]

Damn, if O'Neal stays healthy(which he won't), a Bosh/O'Neal frontcourt? :wow


:lmao O'Neal and healthy in the same sentence.

[Bruno]

If Rasho is traded to Indiana, will he turn gangsta ?

[JamStone]

If Rasho is traded to Indiana, will he remain gangsta ?

fixed*

[T Park]

:lol

[bostonguy]

:lmao:lmao

I take back what I said. Indy is getting that pick. They should be grateful they got more in this deal than just expiring deals. Toronto is taking a huge chance but its worth it. They needed a move to shake things up otherwise they would continue to be first round fodders. IF Jermaine can stay healthy and they resign Calderon...This will be a big force in knocking the Celtics off.
They easily can be the 2nd team in the east. Unless the Cavs are able to pull off moves for other superstars/allstars, they wont be as good as a healthy Raptors team.

[SpursFanFirst]

Pending a physical, O'Neal is gone...just came across ESPN. :elephant

[JamStone]

Agreed and official per ESPN update.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3461029