Jermaine O'Neal to Raptors: Nearing Done Deal

[Evantime34]

I could not disagree more, O'Neal has to be healthy eventually, when Healthy he is worth a lot more than TJ (who's a backup now), Rasho (who was never any good) and the 17th. With him and Chris Bosh that's an excellent front court. If they can't sign Calderon though this is a terrible trade for them.

[gc1530]

Can't really understand where the Raptors are going with this move...2 years ago they draft a PF with the number one overall pick and now this trade most likely relegates him to the bench.  Granted Bargnani didn't have the greatest year last year, but they can't be giving up on him this quickly.

[The Walker Wiggle]

I expect O'Neal to play at center, but this time around he'll do it with a smile because he's winning.

[soap07]

Can't really understand where the Raptors are going with this move...2 years ago they draft a PF with the number one overall pick and now this trade most likely relegates him to the bench.  Granted Bargnani didn't have the greatest year last year, but they can't be giving up on him this quickly.


It's better to fix a mistake early and admit it than wait years on a gamble that may never work out. This is a good deal for the Raptors. I don't see how Bosh and Jermaine are redundant. Both can play in the post and both are very good midrange jump shooters. O'Neal is excellent defensively and Bosh can hold his own as well. Having a formidable frontcourt in the Eastern Conference combined with a potentially elite point guard only makes them better. If O'Neal doesn't pan out, who cares? He's gone in two seasons. Bargnani will be a good fit as a shooter off the bench until he improves his game.

I like the deal for the Pacers as well. O'Neal did not fit in to the uptempo style of the Pacers (On a related note, this might end up hurting the Raptors). It was time for him to move on. It gives the Pacers more potential trade pieces and a couple extra draft pieces wouldn't hurt. Time to cut Tinsley IMO.

[Brickowski]

Yes, this deal allows the Pacers to move Tinsley.  But frankly I'm surprised that the Lakers haven't jumped in with a better offer.

[Who]

They gave up the 17th pick? Ahh that's going to hurt. Their perimeter needs some help and there were a bunch of quality candidates who could do that. Ah well it's not important enough to hold up the deal.

It's a good move for Toronto but they have large problems out on the perimeter that need fixing before this becomes a significant step forward.

Bargnani needs to be dumped right now before his value drops lower. It's going to be very difficult for him to establish his talent while playing behind two perennial all-stars. They need to move him and get some help on their wings. It needs to happen now.

[celticmaestro]

maybe they're thinking of moving bargnani or playing him at the 3.

either way, they're definitely going for the win-now scenario danny and cupcake went for. also, calderon is an upgrade over ford anyway. great trade for toronto and i'd say a pretty solid one for indy, too.

[cordobes]

If JO can stay healthy, it's a good trade for both teams. Raptors are a serious contender in the East, with O'Neal, Bosh and Calderon. Bird can finally fire Tinsley and start a serious rebuilding around a young enough core who fits O'Brien style.

[zerophase]

Can't really understand where the Raptors are going with this move...2 years ago they draft a PF with the number one overall pick and now this trade most likely relegates him to the bench.  Granted Bargnani didn't have the greatest year last year, but they can't be giving up on him this quickly.

bargnani is an sf. he plays that position because he spreads the floor and he's not much of a banger. in my nba video games, he's always listed as an sf.

these deals around the nba seem to be making good teams a lot better and bad teams even worst. the celtics better watch out.

[Who]

That's the end of Jamaal Tinsley. It'll be interesting to see what Indy do with him because he's close to being an All-Star talent when healthy which will put some tension between he and Ford. He's probably better than Ford when healthy. Healthy he won't be. What do they do? Be tough to trade.

[libermaniac]

Colangelo must be on some kind of wacky weed.  What a horrible deal for them.  Somebody with an attitude problem who's never on the court.  Not to mention complete redundancy of the team's best player.

Couldn't agree more.  Bad, bad, bad deal for Toronto.

[soap07]

They gave up the 17th pick? Ahh that's going to hurt. Their perimeter needs some help and there were a bunch of quality candidates who could do that. Ah well it's not important enough to hold up the deal.

What's so bad about their perimeter? Calderon, Moon, Delfino, Kapono...solid core to surround an excellent front court.

That's the end of Jamaal Tinsley. It'll be interesting to see what Indy do with him because he's close to being an All-Star talent when healthy which will put some tension between he and Ford. He's probably better than Ford when healthy. Healthy he won't be. What do they do? Be tough to trade.

Tinsley has had way too many years and chances with Indiana to fulfill his potential and he simply hasn't. Between the character issues, injuries and just flat out ineptitude, Indiana has every right to move him.

[gc1530]

I can't see Bargnani playing SF on the defensive end...Let's take a look at some small forwards in the East who he would have no chance of defending:

Paul Pierce
Richard Jefferson
Andre Iguodala
Lebron James
Tayshaun Prince
Josh Smith
Caron Butler
etc.

I'd say they are better off sticking with Jamario Moon at small forward for defensive purposes.

[the_Bird]

Who takes Tinsley off their hands, though?  They would have traded him for a ham sandwich and not held out for extra pickles.  He's decent but not THAT good, he's a headcase, he's always hurt, and he's got a terrible contract.  Who's dealing for THAT guy?

[Who]

They gave up the 17th pick? Ahh that's going to hurt. Their perimeter needs some help and there were a bunch of quality candidates who could do that. Ah well it's not important enough to hold up the deal.

What's so bad about their perimeter? Calderon, Moon, Delfino, Kapono...solid core to surround an excellent front court.

Yeah that's pretty poor and in no way, shape or form good enough to contend for a championship. Calderon scores about 10-12ppg. He's the only perimeter player on the their squad who can create his own shot or create a shot for a teammate. That's a huge problem, massive problem. It's going to stop Toronto from contending.

Second problem is that it's poor defensively. Kapono is a very poor defender. Calderon is a poor defender. Delfino is a poor defender. Moon is a slightly above average defender. Anthony Parker is another but his defense dropped off in a big way last season probably due to age which doesn't stand well for next season.

Jermaine O Neal can shore up their interior D but it's not going to matter a single thing if he has perimeter players beating their man one-on-one and getting into the lane all night long.

That's the end of Jamaal Tinsley. It'll be interesting to see what Indy do with him because he's close to being an All-Star talent when healthy which will put some tension between he and Ford. He's probably better than Ford when healthy. Healthy he won't be. What do they do? Be tough to trade.

Tinsley has had way too many years and chances with Indiana to fulfill his potential and he simply hasn't. Between the character issues, injuries and just flat out ineptitude, Indiana has every right to move him.

I'm not saying they're wrong to move him. I'm saying they've got nobody taking him in this trade despite moving their best trade asset that they're willing to deal. I'm saying they're unlikely to get a trade for him. I'm also thinking himself and Ford on the same team isn't the brightest idea in the world. So what do Indy do? Buyout?