O'Neal for TJ Ford Done

by Jeff Clark on Jun 25, 2008 5:46 PM EDT in Boston Celtics Rumors

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.

I know a lot of people are down on Jermaine O'Neal, but if he's healthy I think this makes Toronto better. It also makes sense for Larry Legend to get rid of O'Neal and bring in a point guard and draft pick. It seems to work, which is too bad since it might make two East teams better. Oh well.

Other rumors:

Tweet Comment 11 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Bosh and O’Neal up front is good. Jermaine turns 30 in August so it’s not like he’s finished at all.

That’ll be amusing if Toronto tries to make Bargnani their 3… :D :D

by tb727 on Jun 25, 2008 7:36 PM EDT reply actions

If Beasley slips to 3 and McHale doesn’t take him, he should be fired on the spot! Big Al and Beasley would be a force to be reckoned with. Plus, all those KG haters would have to suck on Big Al and Beasley for KG and #10 (approximate draft slot had KG not been dealt).

by libermaniac on Jun 25, 2008 7:36 PM EDT reply actions

I meant … “all those KG TRADE haters” … e.g. those who thought McHale was doing the C’s a favor.

by libermaniac on Jun 25, 2008 7:37 PM EDT reply actions

Seems like a funny way for Toronto to solve its toughness problem. ;D

Seriously though, I still like how we match up with Toronto. KG against Bosh or O’Neal is a good match up, with KG having the edge. Plus I think Perk can play either one of those guys defensively, but especially O’Neal. He’d beat the heck out of them under the offensive boards too. Then when they bring in Bargnani we bring in Posey (Resign James!).

I would agree that both teams could benefit if the key players actually play. Indy needs a big guy pronto though (all apologies to Rasho).

by Berkcelt on Jun 25, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions

Neither one of them can stay healthy. Not a big deal. O’Neal has a lot of talent but is soft. Ford is undersized and injury prone. Decent guard, but this doesn’t make either team that much better. Bird is just blowing that team up and getting younger and picks.

by EJPLAYA on Jun 25, 2008 8:24 PM EDT reply actions

Hmm. Not sure how this move helps either team.

by murphman on Jun 25, 2008 9:37 PM EDT reply actions

pacers get younger,faster. rasho is serviceable. jermaine is a question mark because of health-slows you down.

by nazzbo on Jun 25, 2008 9:44 PM EDT reply actions

This is a classic sideways move. We’ll take your problem for our problem. Usually those types of moves don’t make teams better. Just different.

by Spoon on Jun 25, 2008 10:25 PM EDT reply actions

bring on new challenges! am confident with our bunch we will cream everybody again next year!

go celts!

green 18!!!

by jaimsitecom on Jun 25, 2008 10:42 PM EDT reply actions

Obviously, the issue with O’Neal is health. While I highly doubt that we’re going to see Jermaine return to his prime self, I do think Toronto improves more than people are willing to give credit for, simply because they’ve bolstered their frontcourt with better defense, more rebounds, and more scoring. Double teaming Bosh to leave Rasho open is a risk I’m sure many teams will take, rather than if it’s O’Neal who is open, who can still give you 15-20 PPG nightly. The guy who appears lost from the mix is Andrea Bargnani. Nobody questions his upside, as a 7 footer who can shoot from outside is intriguing, but he’s starting to remind us of that Skita guy more than he does of a Dirk Nowitzki.

by TradeProposalDude on Jun 25, 2008 10:54 PM EDT reply actions