Jermaine O'Neal To Toronto?

by Tom Lewis on Jun 23, 2008 5:27 PM EDT Comment 18 comments

UPDATE: Heard Doug Smith from the Toronto Star on the way home. Smith is reporting on the J.O. to Toronto deal from a Raptors' perspective. Key things to consider is that he thinks the talks with the Pacers may have heated up over the weekend, but you also keep in mind that the Raptors have had serious talks about TJ Ford with other teams. He knows that Toronto has had people out in Vegas checking on players. Since J.O. is out there and playing full court he assumed they liked what they saw out there as far as J.O.'s health goes. Smith seemed pretty enthused about this deal for both sides and thinks J.O. would compliment Bosh nicely, improve the Raps' interior defense and also allow the team to continue bringing along Bargnani by allowing him to come off the bench to relieve either player.

Mike Wells has some information on a rumored deal that would send J.O. to Toronto for PG T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic (expiring $8.4 mill contract), and possibly the Raps' 17th pick in the draft.

Wow! First of all, Wells doesn't report rumors out of left field, so I assume his two sources are solid. So, all he is reporting is there have been talks, but the talks have advanced into some good detail.

If the Pacers pick up TJ Ford, I don't see the need for DJ Augustin. The risk with Ford is the remaining 3 years on his contract for roughly $25 million and the fact he's had some scary injuries during his short career. If the 17th pick is included, though, this deal remains quite intriguing.

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DO IT DO IT

two draft picks this year, with a quick point guard instad of drafting augustin! bye jermaine!!!

by captain flitzy on Jun 23, 2008 11:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think that's a pretty stellar deal for the Pacers

The Ford injury concern is a big sticking point, but I read his contract is insured. Plus, J.O. is nearly a guarantee to get injured :)

So the Pacers would have #11 and #17. I wonder if that’s enough to move up, though I suppose the Pacers need as many young cheap players as possible.

management sez: recommend fanposts/fanshots/comments! Click 'reply' when replying to a comment! Flag jerkfaces!

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 23, 2008 11:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

The Pacers need some assets whether they be young players, picks or cap room. This deal could give them everything.

by Tom Lewis on Jun 23, 2008 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

how about

packaging 11 and 17 for the 3rd pick? MAYO MAYO MAYO MAYO MAYO MAYO MAYO!!

by captain flitzy on Jun 23, 2008 12:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't think the T'Wolves would bite on that.

It’s soo hard to trade up that far. Plus they’d then probably have to find somewhere to trade Dunleavy.

by SethGrandpa on Jun 23, 2008 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i agree...

im just hopin here, i think mayo may be the best in the draft…hes gonna be great i think…just thinkin of him and granger witha shooter like dunleavy gets me excited, if he drops below 3rd i could see a package happening maybe???? lets hope, im ectually finally for ocne excited about the draft, which in a weird way is a good thing.

by captain flitzy on Jun 23, 2008 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gah, I love getting rid of JO and love love getting another 1st rounder...

But I don’t like picking up TJ Ford. I’m never a big fan of getting a guy who’s team is CLEARLY better with another player at the position (Calderon). That said I’d still pull the trigger on the deal.

by SethGrandpa on Jun 23, 2008 2:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ASAP

Please Bird do this deal. Even if we have to kick back a future second-rounder. I like the extra pick and TJ Ford allows us to take the best available player at 11 and maybe get Mario Chalmers at the 17 spot.

by ThirtyOne on Jun 23, 2008 3:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Great Deal for both teams

heres a recent article with him taking about his knee and next season

MT: J.O. What’s it like to finally get out there and play?

Jermaine O’Neal: It’s been a long time man. It’s been a few years since my knee has been healthy. I tore my meniscus last year and I told the staff not to tell anybody because I knew there was going to be a lot of talk about it. I ended up having surgery last summer and it didn’t go as well as we had hoped in rehab, but it was effective because it made me work harder. Now, my knee is healed. It’s the best my knee has felt in two years. It’s all about getting my cardio and my rhythm back, trying to be effective and learning how to punish guys all over again in the low post.

MT: It had to be mad frustrating sitting out and watching the game from the bench. What did you learn the most from being on the sidelines? Was there another aspect of the game you picked up during this time?

JO: Oooh yes, the mental part. They biggest thing I’ve learned over the two and half months is that I’m getting older. I’m not the 17 or 18 year old that I used to be where I could come in and do things and get away with it. I’ve always thought over the last couple of years that no matter what was wrong I could always outplay the guy who is playing in front of me. Now that I’m getting older, my body is starting to talk to me a little bit differently. I feel like I’m going into my prime. I have an knowledge and understanding of how I’m supposed to approach the game and it’s something I had to really learn. It’s kind of a culture shock for me because I had to see my team struggle. That hasn’t happened for a long time and it was difficult sitting for so long.

Now I know what I have to do. I’m taking it all back to the drawing stage. I’ve put together a great staff that’s gonna put my honor all back together. I’m not far from it. The knee is just about 100% strength. The healing part is already done. I’m really exciting and very much looking forward to getting back on the court next year.

MT: What message would you like to give to NBA fans? If you look at the league right now, no one is really thinking about Jermaine O’Neal because you’ve been out even though you have All NBA talent.

JO: I would tell them that I appreciate the support. I still get a lot of support in every arena in the NBA. (Looks me dead in the eyes. I saw the warrior in him) Come next year…they are gonna get what they are used to seeing. This is going to be the first summer in a while that I’m not going to have to rehab for two months. I’m going into the summer totally healthy, so I’ll get an opportunity from day one. I missed 2 and a half months. I’m not taking time off at all. I’m taking a week and a half off after the season is over and I’m getting right back at it. Look for me to return to my dominant form next year. I was able to make the all star team the last couple of years and the knee wasn’t 100%. Now I know what I need to do. It’s not about being athletic and it’s not about having talent. It’s about thinking the game. Now I understand the game a lot more now. I haven’t slowed down a step. I’ve picked it back up. It’s important to me to get it all back.

Check me out next year (winks) you’ll see.
—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—--

Ford complains too much….not to mention the fact that J.O. doesnt wanna play for you guys anymore….course he’s gonna stay out as long as possible, he knows the team was going nowhere anyways…why not stay out as long as you can and nurse the injury….

you guys can have TJ, we’ve got Calderone running out back court!

by CLW on Jun 23, 2008 3:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow! If this goes down.......

Lets go 100% Upside and All-In w/ Potential:

Draft Projection:

11: Anthony Randolph, PF LSU

17: DeAndre Jordan, C Texas A & M

41: Bill Walker, SF Kansas State

If there is one thing we have all learned about Bird, it is that he loves players with potential and mad skills, if Randolph and Jordan panned out they could be the nastiest Center – Power Forward combination in the league, they’re both so athletic and quick for their size, running with Granger, Ford, Dunleavy, and Williams would be insane, only problem is that Ike Diogu would feel like an old man on the team!

Brent Jonathan Beck

by Brent Beck on Jun 23, 2008 4:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

and Larry, lets not go...

11. Joe Alexander, SF West Virginia

17: Kosta Koufos, C Ohio State

41: Drew Neitzel, PG Michigan State

because the 11th and 17th picks would be outrageous, but I must say, havin’ Neitzel… oh and people will think you are trying to officially make this team all white guys which I never have thought in a million years… I mean come on, he saw the potential in Shawne Williams, who if I might add, I still believe is going to be AMAZING. IF we unload a SF, I would rather it be Dunleavy, because he has had his shot else where and did play amazing for us last year, but nobody still has any idea what Williams can do in a starting role getting 30-40 a nigh!

Brent Jonathan Beck

by Brent Beck on Jun 23, 2008 4:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Any chance of us possibly getting Andrea Bargnani in this deal?

He is scheduled to make about $5 Million next year and he is still only 22…
The dude is a PF, the same position as Bosh and JOs natural positions… he is a 6-10 big man who can shoot threes… you just never know what else could be involved with this that we have no idea about, the guy went from 25 MPG in his first year to 23 MPG his second… he put up 10 pts and some descent numbers, nothin big… the verdict is still out in my mind if he is Darko or Dirk, but if we are loading up on picks and going all young, I would send them Foster and a future pick to get the dude, wouldnt hurt… Our oldest guys on the team then (not counting Troy Murphy) would be Granger and T.J. Ford, who are both 25 years old…

Whats all your thoughts??

Brent Jonathan Beck

by Brent Beck on Jun 23, 2008 4:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Comparing Augustin and Ford: Longhorn Numbers

1. T.J. Ford:

Season GP MPG PPG FG% APG RPG BPG SPG

2002-2003 33 33.6 15.0 40.1 7.7 3.9 0.2 2.0

2001-2002 33 32.4 10.8 41.3 8.3 3.8 0.1 2.2

2. D.J. Augustin:

2006-2007 35 35.6 14.4 45% 6.7 2.8 0.1 1.5

2007-2008 38 37.3 19.2 43% 5.8 2.9 0.0 1.2

Brent Jonathan Beck

by Brent Beck on Jun 23, 2008 4:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh and one of them didn't break his neck...

by SethGrandpa on Jun 24, 2008 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anthony Randolph is too weak

to be a PF in the NBA. He also turns the ball over waay to much. Basically all he is going to do is add to the logjam at the SF position.

I really like this trade because we don’t have to draft D.J. and in turn have a much quicker and more capable guard in T.J. Ford. At this point, I’m not sure who I want the Pacers to draft. Russell Westbrook will be gone, Joe Alexander likely will be off the board, and Brook Lopez wont fall this far.

My dream scenario for Thursday is that we stay put and draft the best absolute player besides a point guard. If we could somehow move down that would be great. We need to complete the trade with Toronto and also ditch Tinsley.

Brent’s earlier comparison in a different thread with Dunleavy and Szcerbiak are eerily similar. Reading that totally convinced me to trade Dunleavy whose stock is up on the trade market. I highly doubt though, that we could complete a trade with him because O’Brien always refers to him as our best player and Bird has said much of the same. Until Dunleavy is gone, Shawne wont get any consistent minutes.

I would be ecstatic if we could trade our pick and another player to acquire Marcus Camby to fill the role of “Interior Defender” and wait until next year to get a PG.

by pacers33 on Jun 23, 2008 7:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs