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.
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